(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Cricket Australia has announced its formidable 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, which will take place just after the completion of the ODI World Cup 2023. The series is scheduled to start on 23rd November at Visakhapatnam and will conclude in Hyderabad on 3rd December.
Wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has been named as the captain of the side as Pat Cummins will fly back to his home country after the World Cup 2023 for the preparation of the Test series against Pakistan and West Indies. Some key players such as Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green too have been given rest.
Interestingly, eight players from Australia’s World Cup squad will remain in India. David Warner and Steve Smith have returned to the T20I squad which also features Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, and Sean Abbott. Tanveer Sangha, who is the traveling reserve in the Aussie World Cup squad, will also take part in the high-voltage series.
The rest of the contingent includes names of Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson and Matthew Short. They will join the rest of the team in India after the completion of the ongoing quadrennial tournament.
“It’s an experienced squad with a mixture of players who have had their first opportunity on the international stage and that we hope will continue to develop into important players in our T20 group,” said George Bailey, the Chief Selector of Cricket Australia.
“Matthew (Wade) has captained the team previously, is a leader in the group and we look forward to him taking the reins for this series. Like Mitch Marsh in the South Africa series, this is another great opportunity to further deepen our international leadership experience and depth,” he added
Bailey also acknowledged the formidable challenge of facing India on their home turf, mentioning that most of the squad members have previous experience of playing there with eight of them also being part of the current ODI World Cup squad alongside the reserve player Sangha.
“It’s always a great challenge to take on India on their home soil. Most of the squad have extensive experience in playing in India, including eight members of the current ODI World Cup squad, alongside Tanveer Sangha who is currently a traveling reserve,” he concluded.
Australia T20I squad: Matthew Wade (c), Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.