Justin Langer has called on his senior players to step up, with star players Shaun Marsh and Nathan Coulter-Nile leaving for national duty,
Clint McKay has been dumped by the Stars, but retained his place for Australia. Source: News Limited
CLINT McKay can't find a spot in the Melbourne Stars team, but on Sunday he'll likely lead Australia's pace attack into one-day battle against England.
With Ashes hero Mitch Johnson likely to be rested from the series opener at the MCG, McKay looms as the linchpin of the Aussie attack despite Big Bash League form that has cost him his Stars jersey for Thursday night's match against Adelaide.
English paceman Chris Tremlett has backed Kevin Pietersen, playing down rumours of a rift between Andy Flower and Pietersen.
McKay has suffered uncustomary inconsistency, being hammered for 9.77 run an over in the Stars' first four BBL outings - three runs worse than all four of his fellow pacemen.
Stars and Australian teammate James Faulkner on Wednesday night tipped the reigning Australian ODI player of the year to show England his wrath.
"Clint's been a good bowler ... and everyone knows what he can do," Faulkner said.
"I'm sure the character Clint is, he'll come back in style. There's a big one-day series coming up and I'm sure he's going to be a big part of that."
As Australia's powerbrokers begin earnest planning for next month's crunch Test series in South Africa, Johnson - who took 37 Ashes wickets at an average a shade less than 14 - will likely get a rest for the first of the five-game series against the hapless English.
Nathan Coulter-Nile has joined the Australian One-Day squad in top form after bowling Perth to victory over Hobart in the Big Bash.
It leaves James Pattinson - himself having played just three games back from a back injury - and fellow Victorian McKay as a possible new-ball combination on Sunday.
McKay, whose 91 wickets include an imposing 34 this year, has been Australia's most reliable ODI bowler for much of the past three summers.
Faulkner, 12th man through most of the Ashes series, said Johnson had endured a "brutal and tough time" during the whitewash victory.
"We'd love to have him there, but I'm sure everyone in Australia would understand (if he doesn't play) because he's bowled a fair few overs in the last few months and done exceptionally well for his country."
Faulkner said England would be a tougher proposition in the 50-over format, but stressed Australia was keen to continue its momentum against the old enemy.
Former England skipper Michael Atherton has praised Australia's 'macho' cricket, as his nation continues to reel from a humiliating 5-0 Ashes defeat.
"They're a very good one-day team ... but they're our rivals for a reason, English like beating Australians and likewise (for us). It's going to be strong contest."
The tourists will trot out a vastly different team to that embarrassed in the Ashes with six changes likely from the team that couldn't see out three days of the Sydney Test.
With several established all-rounders and veteran batsmen, it's likely the younger Joe Root will open with captain Alastair Cook.
The key likely omission is that of champion bowler Stuart Broad, who could join Johnson as a spectator for the first game of the series, especially with bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes added to the tourists' squad this week.
Melbourne Renegades recruit Jos Buttler will take the gloves and add depth to a versatile, hard-hitting middle order that will be the likely backbone of next year's World Cup tilt.
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