Australia have included all heavyweights as they name 23-member preliminary squad for the limited-overs series against West Indies ahead of ICC T20 World Cup later this year. Incentally, Cricket Australia had rested their star players from the series against New Zealand; however, have brought them back for a 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs from July 9 to July 24.
Considering that the T20 World Cup is scheduled in India – or could be moved to UAE – Australia has included a number of spinners in Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson, and Tanveer Sangha. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in October-November later this year.
Mitch Swepson has been in exceptional form across all three forms of the game. His Big Bash performances with the Heat have been superb, as was his bowling for Queensland.
“Tanveer Sanga was extremely impressive for the Thunder and we regard him very highly. While he didn’t play in New Zealand it was a great opportunity for a young bowler to be around the group. Along with the class of Adam and Ashton, we are very fortunate to have four highly capable spinners on this list,” chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns added.
Speaking further, Trevor Hohns stated that Australia have the capability any team across the world on any given day and the preliminary squad gives the selectors a solid base to choose the main squad.
“This preliminary list gives selectors a solid base from which to choose a final touring party in the coming weeks while allowing players to prepare. The Australian men’s T20 squad has the ability to match it with any team in the world and the competition for places will be fierce, which is exactly what we are looking for,” Trevor Hohns, the national selector, said.
Australia’s Preliminary squad for West Indies tour:
Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
