Mitchell Marsh to lead Australia in West Indies T20 matches

Glenn Maxwell will play for Australia in a T20 series next month as the selectors’ captaincy choice gives a huge hint to their World Cup plans.

Mitchell Marsh is in the box seat to lead Australia at the T20 World Cup after he was named captain of the squad to face the West Indies in a three-match series next month.

The all-rounder has been given the reins again after he led Australia against South Africa in August but missed the most recent T20 series in India after the World Cup.

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been rested from the series, which is one of the final chances for the Australian side to play together before the tournament in the US and West Indies in June.

It comes as Glenn Maxwell was selected to play in the series after he was “managed” from the preceding ODI matches following his hospitalisation after a night out in Adelaide last week.

Mitch Marsh looks set to captain Australia at the T20 World Cup in June. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

Steve Smith has also been rested from the T20 series, but along with Cummins and Starc he is expected to return to the format for the three matches on the New Zealand tour which will follow shortly after.

Smith said on Wednesday he “definitely” wanted to play at the World Cup despite the decision, pointing to his Big Bash feats opening the batting last summer as a case for his selection.

“I definitely want to be a part of it, as anyone would I suppose,” Smith said from Australia’s Test camp in Brisbane.

“I’ve had a few opportunities to open (in T20 internationals). I did well (there) in the Big Bash and it’s different to international cricket, but haven’t had a huge opportunity there.”

David Warner, Tim David and Marcus Stoinis have all been called back from the UAE’s ILT20 league for the series, which is set to affect their finals availability for their respective franchises.

Fast bowler Nathan Ellis has been included in the 14-man squad despite withdrawing from the ODI squad due to injury on Tuesday.

Marcus Stoinis’ ODI career could be over but the all-rounder has been included in one of Australia’s final T20 squads before the World Cup. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio / Getty Images

He will form a pace attack alongside Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott and Jason Behrendorff, who was one of Australia’s best performers in the 4-1 series loss to India in December.

Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner in the squad, with Ashton Agar and Tanveer Sangha left out along with Big Bash top performer Matt Kuhnemann.

All-rounders Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie have also been left out but will play in the preceding ODI series.

Brisbane Heat left-armer Spencer Johnson has again been overlooked after Xavier Bartlett and Will Sutherland were preferred to him for spots in Australia’s one-day squad.

Australian chair of selectors George Bailey said the series was a chance to “narrow down” on the World Cup squad, while players could expect to be thrown into different roles.

He said IPL form in April-May would also be instrumental in selecting the final squad.

“There are a further three T20 internationals in New Zealand following this West Indies series where we will continue to build towards the T20WC as required,” Bailey said.

“It is likely we will use the block of six games to provide opportunity to players in some different roles and positions.

“We will then be keeping a close eye on the IPL before choosing a World Cup squad.”