Australia announced their full squad for the three-match T20I series against New Zealand on Tuesday (6 February). Australia is eyeing his T20 World Cup this year and this series will mark the return of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Travis Head to his T20Is.
The trio and Steve Smith will be rested for the upcoming T20I series against West Indies at home. Starc and Cummins were also not part of the T20I squad that played five matches in India immediately after the ODI World Cup in November. With the return of Cummins and Starc, Sean Abbott and Jason Behrendorff joined his T20I squad.
Australia is also currently suffering from many injuries. Matt Short is currently out with a minor hamstring injury sustained in the second ODI against West Indies. Aaron Hardy will replace Short in the T20I squad for the series against West Indies, but is expected to be fit for the New Zealand tour. Nathan Ellis, who is currently recovering from a rib injury, was also selected for the squad.
Australia selection committee chairman George Bailey said: “Travis, Pat, Mitchell and Steve will return to the squad after the series against West Indies, with Jason Behrendorff and Sean Abbott joining the team for the upcoming T20s. “He will be a substitute for players who play in the .
“The next six games give us an opportunity to start forming the World Cup squad and possible roles within it.”
“We will also have an opportunity to observe and follow the performance of Australian players in the IPL just before the World Cup,” he added.
Australia T20 squad:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Stark, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
