The allrounder Mitchell Marsh will be leading the Australia T20I squad during the short format series against West Indies on the home tour.
Australia T20I captain against West Indies
The CA board has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming T20I series on West Indies’ Australia tour in 2024.
The squad is set to feature the return of epic all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, while players like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will be rested for the series. Mitchell Marsh will lead the side which could be a fine opportunity for the side to prepare for the T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Steve Smith is also set to take a break while David Warner, who announced Test and ODI retirement will be batting in his top-order position.
With Marsh appointed as the interim captain, Bailey said that the permanent T20I captain will be named after the New Zealand series.
“I think we will make a decision about that post the New Zealand series,” Bailey said. “New Zealand will be the time when Andrew jumps back in so it’s a good chance to see how those two work together.”
“Confident that’ll work, but we just haven’t seen it yet. That’s the way that’s tracking. Mitch will obviously get the opportunity here and likely to get the opportunity in New Zealand as well.”
The CA’s chief selector George Bailey highlighted the importance of the series before the marquee event saying, “We see these matches as the opportunity to narrow down on those who may be part of the T20 World Cup squad later this year.”
While talking in the media Steve Smith said, “I want to be a part of it, as anyone would, I suppose,” Smith said on Wednesday.
“I’ve had a few opportunities to open and obviously did it well in the Big Bash. It’s different to international cricket, I know, but I haven’t had a huge opportunity there. I’d certainly be interested, but we’ll wait and see,” he concluded.
Josh Hazlewood has been included in the T20I squad. He does not have an IPL deal and hence he will have only 6 matches left before the T20 World Cup.
Warner has been recalled from the ILT20 season while Stoinis will leave the SA20 and will be joining the national squad before February 07.
Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Stoinis, and Matthew Wade will be playing in Australia’s Middle order at the World Cup. Travis Head will be opening alongside Warner like the ODI World Cup.
Australia has only named one spinner in Adam Zampa with Maxwell. Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, and Nathan Ellis have been picked and will be appearing in Australia’s 15 for the World Cup.
Australia T20I squad for West Indies
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
