Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the 14-member squad for the three-match T20I series against West Indies on Wednesday, January 24. The T20I series will take place from February 9 to 13, with Hobart, Adelaide and Perth to host the matches after conclusion of the ODI series.
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will be leading the team in the T20I series as Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have not been considered. Australia will begin their preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024 with the three-match series against touring party from Caribbean. The show-piece event will take place in West Indies and USA, starting on July 1.
The 14-member squad announced by Cricket Australia (CA) features all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who has been rested from the ODI series. Josh Hazlewood has been included in the T20I squad while Steve Smith has been given a rest.
The likes of David Warner and Tim David, who are currently part of ongoing International League T20 (ILT20) in Dubai, have also been added to the T20I squad for the series against West Indies.
Mitchell Marsh will take over the leadership duties again after leading Australia in ODI and T20I series against South Africa in August-September last year. However, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade captained the Aussies in away five-match T20I series against India after the ODI World Cup triumph.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to return for New Zealand T20I series
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been given a rest for the T20I series against West Indies due to "ongoing minor physical issues" and are likely to make their return for New Zealand T20I series.
Senior Australian pacers have had gruelling summer, playing five Test matches against Trot against Pakistan (3) and West Indies (2). Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are also not part of the ODI squad against West Indies. Steve Smith is also expected to return for T20 series against New Zealand.
"I definitely want to be a part of it, as anyone would I suppose." Smith told reporters on the eve of second Test against West Indies in Brisbane.
Australia T20I squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
