Right-arm pacer Peter Siddle and opening batsman Usman Khawaja have been drafted into Australia’s new-look 14-man squad for the three-match ODI series against India.

They are part of a host of changes made by the selectors as a beleaguered Australia get ready for their World Cup defence.

Siddle, who last played international white-ball cricket in 2010, makes a return to the ODI unit after impressive returns in the Big Bash League over the last couple of seasons. The veteran pacer claimed four scalps for Adelaide Strikers, including a match-winning 3/20 against Sydney Thunder recently.

Khawaja, meanwhile, has been one of Australia’s better batsmen in the ongoing Test series. The left-hander, who has made 469 ODI runs in 68 innings, will return to 50-over cricket after nearly two years.

The fast-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been rested following a tough and long Test series.

Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, and Billy Stanlake, along with Siddle, will complete Australia’s pace attack in the ODI series.

Limited-overs specialists Travis Head, Darcy Short and Chris Lynn miss out after a series of mediocre returns with the bat.

“All three have had opportunities to cement their spots, but unfortunately, they have not been as productive as we would have liked in recent times when playing ODI cricket for Australia,” said Hohns.

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Marsh (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

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Australia Usman KhawajaInternational CricketPeter SiddlePeter HandscombAaron Finch