Australia’s full-strength T20I squad for the upcoming three-match tour of New Zealand has been announced, with Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc making their return. Mitchell Marsh will captain the team, leading the squad in what will be their final series before the T20 World Cup in June.
Australian Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins will be playing under Mitchell Marsh in the T20Is. Marsh jokingly said that he is eager to tell Cummins what to do and what what not to do.
Mitchell Marsh said
“I can’t wait to tell Pat what to do and what not to do (laughs).”
Chair of selectors George Bailey had indicated last month that Smith would rejoin the squad after being rested from the upcoming T20I home series against West Indies. Cummins and Starc will also return for the New Zealand tour after missing the West Indies series. Travis Head, originally selected for the West Indies series, has been withdrawn to rest ahead of the New Zealand series.
Marsh will lead the full-strength squad, but the selectors have not yet confirmed if he will captain at the World Cup. This decision is likely to be made after the New Zealand series, as it will be the first time Marsh will captain with Andrew McDonald coaching. McDonald had rested from the South Africa T20I series that Marsh captained last year and is also resting from the West Indies series.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for him to get some games in. It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone, so I think it’s a great opportunity for him to get some experience and hopefully win some games for Australia,” Smith said of Marsh’s captaincy.
Matthew Short, named in the squad for the New Zealand tour, was withdrawn from the West Indies series due to a low-grade hamstring injury suffered in Sunday’s second ODI in Sydney. Aaron Hardie will replace Short in the West Indies’ T20I series but has not been included in the New Zealand squad.
Nathan Ellis has been named as the fourth fast bowler for the New Zealand series, alongside Cummins, Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, although he is still recovering from a rib injury. He has been preferred over Jason Behrendorff and Sean Abbott, who have been named as standby players for the New Zealand tour despite playing in the West Indies series while Cummins and Starc rest.
Spencer Johnson is on standby for the West Indies T20I series in case Ellis needs more time ahead of the New Zealand tour.
Bailey emphasized the importance of the upcoming six games in shaping the World Cup squad and identifying potential roles within the team. The selectors will also monitor the performances of Australian players in the IPL before the World Cup.
Cameron Green has not been included in the T20I squad, with Bailey stating last month that the selectors wanted him to focus on red-ball preparation for the New Zealand Test series following the T20Is. The selectors are confident Green will get enough T20 cricket at the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Australia Squad for New Zealand T20I Series: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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