Australia reveal squad for three-game T20I series in Pakistan
Australia have named a star-studded 17-player squad that will visit Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The Aussies will finalize their ICC Men’sT20 World Cup preparation in a three-game series in Pakistan, with all matches taking place in Lahore across four days, beginning on January 29.
It comes amidst the commencement of the finals of Australia’s domestic competition the Big Bash League.
Experienced batter Mitchell Marsh will captain the team, while Travis Head, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are amongst those that took part in Australia‘s recent Ashes series against England.
The noteworthy names that will not travel are Nathan Ellis, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins, who are all members of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad that are either still returning from injury or having their loads managed.
Cummins, Hazelwood and David are all still building fitness following their respective illnesses.
Sean Abbott, Mahali Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Philipspe and Matt Renshaw all come into the squad as cover.
Players still involved in the remnant of the BBL will join the squad only once their respective franchise’s campaigns conclude.
Young quick Beardman and rising star Edwards have cashed in following breakthrough Big Bash campaigns.
They are both uncapped at international level, despite their squad participation in Australia’s series with India earlier in the summer.
“The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan,” said Australia‘s Chair of Selectors George Bailey.
“Some are already experienced international players (whereas) Mahli Beardman has been with the group a number of times and Jack Edwards joined (the squad) for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year.”
All matches will take place at Gaddaif Stadium in Lahore, the games are on January 29, January 31 and February 1.
Australia squad:
Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahali Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stonis, Adam Zampa
Tim David has endured a minor setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury ahead of the T20 World Cup but remains on track for the tournament while Australia’s selectors are firming on a plan for Pat Cummins to make a late entry to the tournament.
David, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are among five of Australia’s T20 World Cup who will not feature in the three-match series against Pakistan which starts at the end of the month alongside Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis.
Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards could make their international debuts after being included the three T20Is in Lahore.
Hazlewood told ESPNcricinfo last week that he was progressing well for the World Cup after hamstring and Achilles problems forced him to miss the entire Ashes series and is aiming a return in Australia’s warm-up match in Sri Lanka which is expected to also be against Pakistan.
“TD [David] had a very minor setback, I think last week, so didn’t quite get through a running session that he was hoping to, but has since been cleared of any damage,” chairman of selections George Bailey said. “It was just, I think, on the back of a heavy week. So he’s still tracking for the start of the tournament. Josh is in the same boat and Pat’s a little bit different… he’ll probably join that World Cup group a little bit later in the tournament, around game three or four.”
The plan to give Cummins extra time following the lumbar stress injury which limited him to one Test against England was previously flagged earlier this month. “If we can, absolutely, that’s the plan,” Bailey said on Monday. “Clearly, if something moves and we’re forced to cover that, we will, but, yes, hopefully all things being equal, that’ll be how that one plays out.”
Beardman, the 20-year pace bowler, and allrounder Edwards have been named following impressive BBL campaigns for Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers respectively. Beardman (8 wickets at 30.25) was part of the T20I squad against India earlier this season while Edwards (15 wickets at 18.33) was briefly part of the ODI group.
Ten of Australia’s T20 World Cup
Ten of Australia’s T20 World Cup will be part of the Pakistan trip. Alongside Beardman and Edwards, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw come into the expanded 17-player squad which covers for those who may miss the opening match of the series having played the BBL final.
There remains a chance the likes of Abbott or Dwarshuis could be added to the T20 World Cup squad as a traveling reserve.
“Players are aware of this, we’ll use the time up until we really have to lock away that 15 and if we do need to make a change in that, because the balance is thrown out for whatever reason, we’ve got that up our sleeve,” Bailey said. “We may utilise that [reserve] option as well. Part of that will certainly be how [Hazlewood and Cummins] are tracking and looking for the tournament. If they’re both going well, then it’ll be just about covering any particular gaps that we may see throughout the tournament.”
TheT20I s in Lahore take place between January 29 and February 1. Australia’s first game of the T20 World Cup is on February 11, in Colombo against Ireland.
Players competing in the remainder of the BBL will join the squad in Pakistan once their tournament is complete.
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