Josh Hazelwood set to return from injury, being selected for upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka. (Photo: Cricket Australia)
Ahead of the upcoming five-game international T20 series against Sri Lanka, Australia has welcomed back several faces back into the side, with the announcement of a strong 16 man squad that will be taking on the Sri Lankans next month.
In their first T20 international series since their World Cup triumph last year, Australia has made four changes to the squad. Josh Hazelwood has recovered from a side injury that forced him to sit out most of the Ashes series and is set to be part of a strong bowling lineup.
Ben McDermott has earned a recall to the T20 side following an impressive summer with the Hobart Hurricanes where he was voted as the BBL|11 Player of the Tournament, finishing the tournament as the leading run-scorer with an impressive 577 runs.
Additionally, following strong performances in the recent Ashes series, Travis Head has returned to the white-ball fold and could play his first limited-overs game for Australia since November 2018. Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has also been recalled to the Australian T20 squad following a strong season in the Big Bash earning him a spot in the team of the tournament.
Members of the World Cup winning squad in the UAE and Oman last year, experienced batter Dave Warner and allrounder Mitch Marsh will miss the Sri Lankans tour of Australia, with the duo set to miss the series as they prepare for the Pakistan tour which takes place immediately after Sri Lankan T20 series.
Having also been part of the squad that toured UAE and Oman for the T20 World Cup last year, bowler Mitchell Swepson and allrounder Dan Christian have also not been selected for the Sri Lanka series.
Chairman of Selectors George Bailey commented on the side that will be taking on Sri Lanka next month, saying the new faces will be given a chance to prove themselves against a strong opponent.
“This squad will begin preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup defence at home later this year and includes several players who have an early chance to impress in these five matches against a quality opposition,” Bailey told media on Tuesday.
In addition to missing several players out preparing for the Pakistan tour later in March, several coaching staff will also be out of the Sri Lankan tour preparing, with coach Justin Langer and a number of other core support staff set to take planned leave in preparation for the Pakistan tour.
Assistant coach Andrew McDonald will act as interim Head Coach in the series.
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Australian squad for the T20 International Series against Sri Lanka:
Aaron Finch (VIC/Geelong Cricket Club) (c)
Ashton Agar (WA/University Cricket Club )
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Moises Henriques (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Ben McDermott (TAS/Lindisfarne Cricket Club)
Glenn Maxwell (VIC/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle District Cricket Club)
Kane Richardson (SA/West Torrens Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Marcus Stoinis (WA/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)
Matthew Wade (TAS/Clarence Cricket Club)
Adam Zampa (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
The first game of the Australia v Sri Lanka T20 series will take place on February 11 at the SCG, with the fifth and final game taking place on February 20 at the MCG.
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