Australia has unveiled a 17-player squad for the upcoming T20 tour of Pakistan, with champion batter Steve Smith missing selection despite his blistering Big Bash form.
Ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup campaign in the subcontinent, Australia will fine-tune its preparation for the ICC tournament by playing three matches against Pakistan at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, commencing from January 29. It will be Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in four years.
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On Monday afternoon, Cricket Australia confirmed an uncapped trio of players in the touring party — Sydney Sixers all-rounder Jack Edwards, Perth Scorchers speedster Mahli Beardman and Brisbane Head batter Matt Renshaw, who has already represented Australia in the other two formats.
Renshaw has been rewarded for his stellar BBL|15 campaign, which saw him hit 324 runs at an average of 36 and strike rate of 153.55.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been left out of the series — which is being played across just four days — as he continues to recover from Achilles soreness, while pinch-hitter Tim David (shoulder) and quick Pat Cummins (back) are in a similar boat.
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Speaking to reporters on Monday afternoon, chief selector George Bailey confirmed that Beardman was selected with “an eye to the future”, praising the 20-year-old’s airspeed.
“I love the fact that he’s had a good run of games for the Scorchers as well and performed some different roles through those games, so that’s been interesting to see,” he said.
“A good opportunity for Marley to hopefully finally make his international debut.”
Bailey revealed that David had suffered a “very minor setback” in his recovery, but still hoped the Hobart Hurricanes slugger would be available for the T20 World Cup opener. He also confirmed Cummins is expected to miss the start of the tournament due to his back, with the potential for Australia to ‘carry’ him in the squad until he’s ready.
“(David) didn’t quite get to a running session that he was hoping to, but has since been cleared of any damage,” Bailey explained.
“He’s still tracking for the start of the tournament.”
He continued: “(Cummins) will probably join that World Cup group a little bit later in the tournament, around game three or four.
“Clearly if something moves and we’re forced to cover that, we will.”
Victorian superstar Glenn Maxwell and Tasmanian seamer Nathan Ellis will also miss the three matches against Pakistan, with the duo participating in this week’s Big Bash finals.
“You call it rest, we probably call it preparation,” Bailey continued.
”Get the best preparation they can to make sure that when they do join that World Cup squad, they’re ready to perform.”
Smith, who struck a 41-ball century during last week’s Sydney Smash against the Thunder at the SCG, was a surprise absentee from Australia’s T20 squad considering his recent Big Bash form, averaging 78.54 across his last 15 innings.
However, Bailey kept the door open for the Sixers opener to be added to the T20 World Cup squad at the eleventh hour if required.
”It’s a great problem to have,” Bailey responded when quizzed on Smith’s omission.
“He’s playing incredibly well as he has done in the BBL for the last couple of years in a position that we’ve got really good coverage in.
“If there were moving parts and something was required around there, no doubt his name would be in the mix.”
He added: “Clearly when he goes back to the Big Bash, he is a level above.
“You can get a good read on whether someone has the ability to play the next level, and there’s no doubt that Steve has.
“He’s playing incredibly well, but Mitch Marsh and Travis Head are also playing incredibly well, and they’ve done really well at the top of us in that format.”
The Australian squad will arrive in Lahore on January 28, three days after the Big Bash final.
Following the T20 series finale on February 1, Mitchell Marsh’s men will travel to Sri Lanka ahead of Australia’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in Colombo on February 11. During the group stage, the Australians will also face Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Oman.
Australia’s T20 squad for Pakistan tour
Mitchell Marsh (c)
Sean Abbott
Xavier Bartlett
Mahli Beardman
Cooper Connolly
Ben Dwarshuis
Jack Edwards
Cameron Green
Travis Head
Josh Inglis
Matthew Kuhnemann
Mitch Owen
Josh Philippe
Matthew Renshaw
Matthew Short
Marcus Stoinis
Adam Zampa
Australia’s provisional T20 World Cup squad
Mitchell Marsh (c)
Xavier Bartlett
Cooper Connolly
Pat Cummins
Tim David
Cameron Green
Nathan Ellis
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Josh Inglis
Matthew Kuhnemann
Glenn Maxwell
Matthew Short
Marcus Stoinis
Adam Zampa
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