Cricket Australia (CA) have named a 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in New Zealand. Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, and Matthew Short return to the 20-over setup after missing the recent home series against South Africa.
Among the players who will miss the series are Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, and Aaron Hardie.
Starc has announced his retirement from T20Is, while Cummins is nursing a back injury. Nathan Ellis, currently on paternity leave, will skip the series but is likely to return to contention for the white-ball matches against India.
Green made himself unavailable for selection, opting to prioritise the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia as he plans to resume bowling and build his workload ahead of the five-match Ashes series.
Carey and Hardie, who were called up as injury replacements for the South Africa series, have been omitted.
Spencer Johnson remains on the sidelines as he recovers from back soreness. According to the CA media release, the selectors will continue to monitor his fitness.
Short has recovered from a side strain which has kept him out of action since July. After suffering a concussion during the South Africa series, Owen’s return will bolster Australia’s middle order.
With several bowlers unavailable for selection, Josh Hazlewood will lead the pace attack, which includes Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis.
Adam Zampa and Matt Kuhnemann are the two specialist spinners.
The three T20Is will be played on 1, 3, and 4 October, all in Mount Maunganui.
Australia’s squad for New Zealand tour:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
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