Australia has unveiled their 15-player lineup for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and the selection has notably excluded some prominent names. Veteran Steve Smith, the promising Jake Fraser-McGurk, experienced bowler Jason Behrendorff, and all-rounder Matt Short were not included in the squad that will compete next month in the West Indies and the USA.
Ashton Agar makes a return to the squad despite not having played a T20 International since the last World Cup held in Australia in 2022. The squad features a strong contingent of all-rounders including Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell, providing versatile options for the team.
Mitchell Marsh has been named the captain, a role he steps into officially after acting as the interim captain for the T20I team over the past year.
George Bailey, the selection chair, expressed confidence in the chosen squad, highlighting its extensive World Cup experience and adaptability to various playing conditions expected in the upcoming tournament.
“We are pleased to welcome back Ashton Agar after he recovered from his injuries. He, along with Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cam Green, and Mitch Marsh, will greatly complement our main attack options,” Bailey said.
He also acknowledged the difficulty in finalizing the squad, noting that several in-form players did not make the cut due to the limited number of spots available.
“Players like Steve Smith, Matt Short, and Jason Behrendorff, among others, were considered carefully. Unfortunately, constraints in squad size meant some tough decisions had to be made,” he explained.
Bailey added that the selection panel would keep a close eye on players not currently in the squad, as changes can still be made under ICC regulations up until a certain date.
Mitchell Marsh shared his honor in leading the team, emphasizing the team’s recent successes and his hopes for a strong performance in what he anticipates will be a highly competitive tournament.
Australia kicks off their campaign in Barbados against Oman on June 5, followed by matches against England, Namibia, and Scotland in Group B.
The Australian squad for the T20 World Cup is: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, and Adam Zampa.
Adjustments to the team are permissible until May 25, after which any changes will need to be approved by the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.
