Australia have named their T20I squad for the home bilateral series against Pakistan next month with a few red-ball players missing as they prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are the notable absentees in the T20I squad as they tune in for the big home summer against India, one that could potentially define their World Test Championship Final chances.
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Travis Head and regular T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh also miss out with them expected to be a key part of the India Tests. Interestingly, no captain has been named in place of Marsh.
While the big pace trio focus on red-ball cricket, Australia are boosted by the return from injury of Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis. Sean Abbott and Aaron Hardie are the other pace options in the squad alongside the medium pace of Marcus Stoinis. Adam Zampa is the lone spinner in the squad.
Chair of Selectors George Bailey said: “This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket, so we look forward to them continuing to enhance their international experience throughout this series. We are excited by the mix of experience combined with those closer to the start of their international journeys.
“It is particularly encouraging to have Xavier, Spencer and Nathan back in the national setup. It’s another opportunity for them to continue to show their ability on the international stage, as they have done in the past.”
Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
The batting group has been firmed up with some stars that graze global leagues, including the IPL. The likes of Tim David, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis, Matthew Short and Stoinis add power to the line-up.
Inexperienced newbie Cooper Connolly is a notable inclusion while Aaron Hardie has another chance to boost up his all-round stocks.
The T20I series will be played a week ahead of the India Tests, forcing the absence of the many Test stars who are regulars in T20Is. The final T20I in Hobart is on November 18, exactly four days before the first India Test in Perth.
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