The Australian men’s squad for the February-March Twenty20 International series against New Zealand has been named.
Aaron Finch will captain the 18-man squad, with Andrew McDonald stepping up as team coach without Justin Langer, who will be in South Africa for a three-match series that went in at the same time.
Finch will be represented by Matthew Wade, who was left out of the 19-man Test squad to play for South Africa. Despite the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner ‘s cross – star stars, the batting order will not be short of firepower, with Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis all included.
Australia will also receive the services of two of the world’s top 10 T20I archers, with spinners Adam Zampa (fourth) and Ashton Agar (sixth) brought in alongside 19-year-old Tanveer Sangha.
Fast player Jhye Richardson will be hoping to play his first game for Australia in any form since March last year, with Jason Behrendorff his first since the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The series is shaping up to be a major preparation for Australia ahead of the ICC India T20 Men’s World Cup.
“In this World Cup year, it is encouraging to select a squad that will combine some of the biggest names in international T20 cricket with the best emerging players in the country,” said Australian Cricket electorate chairman Trevor Hohns. “We like to balance this squad for a series that should be against the Black Caps.
“The batting line will be strengthened by the inclusion of Matt Wade, who will be joined by experienced international rivals such as Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, D’Arcy Short and Ashton Turner.
“They will be backed by incredible young talent in the form of Josh Philippe and Ben McDermott, who have both been in strong form in this BBL campaign.
“We are fortunate to have a very good selection that is reflected in the elections of Mitch Marsh, Daniel Sams and Ashton Agar along with the likes of Maxwell and Stoinis.
“Adam Zampa has grown to become one of the best spinners in international white ball cricket and Tanveer Sangha, who has excelled along the tracks and with the Sydney Thunder this season very much.
“We are just as strong about our fast bowling socks. Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith and Jason Behrendorff have all made a huge impact through the BBL and Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye are proven actors on the international stage. ”
Australia currently sits in second place on the ICC T20I rankings, one place behind England and four ahead of New Zealand.
HEAD OF AUSTRALIA T20I
Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (vc), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
T20I SERIES AGAINST NEW ZEALAND
February 22, 7pm at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
February 25, 2pm at the University Oval, Dunedin
Mar 3, 7pm at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Mar 5, 7pm at Eden Park, Auckland
Mar 7 2pm at Bay Oval, Mount Mauganui
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