Cricket: Aaron Finch named new Australian ODI captain

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A day after Australia lost the T20 series against Pakistan, Aaron Finch has been named Australia's new one-day captain on Saturday ahead of their upcoming series against South Africa. Interestingly, both Australia's Test skipper Tim Paine and his deputy Mitch Marsh have been axed.

Finch, an explosive batsman, is already in charge of the Twenty20 team, and takes over for Paine, who averaged just 7.2 in Australia's 5-0 ODI series rout by England in June.

Spin veteran Nathan Lyon was another notable omission, although Shaun Marsh kept his place despite a dire recent Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Alex Carey and Josh Hazlewood were appointed joint vice-captains in a 14-man squad that sees the return of fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

"It's very exciting. I'm very humbled, very honored to lead the side and lead Australia," Finch said after his promotion.

National selector Trevor Hohns said the leadership decisions were based on presentations the players made, their vision for Australian cricket and their actions on and off the field. “We expect Aaron, Josh and Alex to lead the side through a big Australian summer... they'll also be driving our standards and values as we prepare our defense of the World Cup, which is only seven months away,” he said.

Australia play three one-dayers against South Africa starting in Perth on November 4.

Pakistan cricketers celebrate after victory in the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at the International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE, October 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

Earlier, the Aussies were left fuming by the dismissal of Darcy Short after the tourists lost to Pakistan by 11 runs in Dubai on Friday to go down 2-0 in the three-match series.

The Australians had been set 148 to win the match and level the series but made the worst possible start when opener Short was adjudged to have been run out at the non-striker's end when Imad Wasim diverted a Finch shot onto the stumps.

Short, supported by his opening partner and captain Finch, was adamant he had his bat down in the crease when the ball hit the stumps, but the third umpire saw it differently and gave the batsman out.

“We certainly had a view as a team that we thought his bat was clearly grounded behind the line,” Australia batsman Glenn Maxwell told reporters.

“Maybe the third umpire pressed the wrong button. We've all made mistakes.”

The dismissal triggered yet another Australia top order collapse, and although Maxwell's 52 from 37 balls gave them some hope, Pakistan would not be denied.

Babar Azam top-scored for the hosts with 45, but it was in the field that Pakistan came into their own with some fine bowling and a series of outstanding catches.

The highlight was a remarkable run out of Ben McDermott by Fakhar Zaman, who dived one way and threw the ball the other to hit the middle stump.

(With input from agencies)