Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade was given a shot in the arm after being appointed as Australia’s captain for the five-match T20I series against India, to be played soon after the ongoing World Cup. The 35-year-old reviewed his international career more than 12 months ago as he believed last year’s T20 World Cup would be his last for Australia. But now he will lead a 15-member Australian squad that will be without fast bowlers in the frontline.
Australia have been without a permanent T20 skipper since the retirement of Aaron Finch earlier this year with Mitchell Marsh and Wade doing the interim job.
“Matthew has captained the team before, is a leader in the group and we look forward to him taking charge of this series,” Australian squad chief George Bailey said in a statement.
“Like Mitch Marsh in the South African series, this is another great opportunity to further deepen our international leadership experience and depth.” Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and all-rounders Marsh and Cameron Green will return home after the ongoing showpiece in India, but David Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head will remain behind for the T20 series.
Australia’s T20 squad for the India series does not have an uncapped player.
Matt Short, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha all made their debuts against South Africa earlier this year and will feature in the T20 series in India.
T20 specialists such as Tim David, Sean Abbott, Josh Inglis, Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Ellis are all part of the squad alongside Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
The frontline pace attack has been postponed to manage their workload as the first Test between Australia and Pakistan is set to begin just 11 days after the final India-Australia T20I in Hyderabad on December 3.
Australia’s first Test against Pakistan starts on December 14 in Perth.
The T20 series between India and Australia will start just four days after the end of the World Cup.
The first match of the series will be played on November 23 in Vishakhapatnam.
Australia T20 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
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