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Published 11 Jan, 2014 07:23am

Cricket: Pattinson left out of Australia team for ODI opener

MELBOURNE- Australia have left out paceman James Pattinson for Sunday's opening one-day international with England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Skipper Michael Clarke named the side at his pre-match media conference on Saturday and said Nathan Coulter-Nile and Clint McKay would share the new ball.

Pattinson's absence comes as Australia rest their Ashes player of the series and leading wicket-taker Mitchell Johnson from game one of the five-match ODI series.

Opening batsman Shaun Marsh has also been unable to win selection for Sunday's opener, with Aaron Finch likely to partner David Warner at the top of the order and Shane Watson at number three.

Clarke said Australia would take winning momentum into the ODI series, but that would come from Australia's 2-1 ODI series win in England in September rather than their recent five-nil Ashes whitewash.

Australia are rated second in ODI cricket behind India, with England at three.

"For the guys who do play Test cricket, it's quite easy to take your foot off the pedal," Clarke said.

SOURCE: APP

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