White admits surprise at Australia recall

White, who last appeared for the Aussies in a one-day international against England in Hobart on January 23, 2015, has been summoned as a replacement for the injured Chris Lynn.

After three years in the international wilderness and with his stinging criticism of the Australia selectors still ringing clear, it is little surprise that Cameron White was somewhat taken aback to be recalled to his country's white-ball squad for the series against England.

White, who last appeared for the Aussies in a one-day international against England in Hobart on January 23, 2015, has been summoned as a replacement for the injured Chris Lynn.

He has made 199 runs at an average of 49.75 in his four domestic 50-over appearances this season and is the latest man to jump ahead of Glenn Maxwell, his fellow Victorian, in the pecking order.

White has also been prolific in the Big Bash and made two half-centuries in as many Sheffield Shield outings at the start of the campaign.

^{Cameron White is back in the Australia one-day international squad}

However, after such a long time out of the national team - long enough for White to have said as recently as Christmas Eve that he felt his days in Australia colours were over - and following a very public spat with selector Trevor Hohns, with whose policy of selecting rising stars in front of established players he strongly disagreed, the news still came as a shock.

"I was very surprised this morning when Trevor Hohns rang me,” White said on Thursday.

"In the back of my mind I never really gave up all hope.

"The good thing about now is I feel I'm a better player than when I last played [for Australia], so I'm happy that I've got another opportunity and hopefully I can show that.

^{White is dismissed by Steve Finn on his last appearance for Australia}

"In terms of unfinished business or call it what you like, it's a good feeling that I'm in a better position to be successful now than I was when I left after having the last go."

The 34-year-old's form in the Big Bash, where he has hit 285 runs for twice out in the competition this season, may well have contributed to his selection. The irony of that is not lost on White, who has previously scoffed the idea that form in Australia's franchise tournament should have any bearing on selection for the national team.

“Making a few runs in the Big Bash hasn’t hurt,” he quipped.

“Maybe it is a little ironic, (although) I’d like to think that my one-day cricket for Victoria hasn’t hurt my chances of getting this opportunity.”

If he does get a chance to pull on the Aussie kit for an 89th time in ODIs - to go with 47 T20I run-outs and four Test appearances - White thinks his experience in the game will make up for being out of the elite level for three years.

"I've got an understanding of my game now, I'm a bit older and understand what sort of mental state I need to get myself into to make sure I'm scoring runs consistently - clear mind, watch the ball and react to it," he said.

"Sounds simple but it's not that easy to do most of the time. Along with that, understanding my game and situations out on the field.

"They're the main things to it, and obviously got a bit of experience behind me now in different conditions and situations."

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