Australia names T20 World Cup squad with stars back

Steve Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins are among six inclusions in the T20 World Cup squad named on Thursday.

Steve Smith has been included in the World Cup squad, despite earlier injury concerns

Prospects are looking brighter ahead of Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign with the inclusion of Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Kane Richardson in the 15-man squad.

The six were absent from the squad which lost to West Indies and Bangladesh recently.

Smith’s inclusion comes after the batsman suggested he might have to skip the World Cup in the UAE to concentrate on the Ashes because of an elbow injury.

His selection comes after he confirmed this week that he would also be returning to play for Delhi in the IPL which precedes the tournament.

“We look forward to having all of these players available both from a playing perspective and the experience they bring to international tournaments,” chief selector George Bailey said.

Smith, Warner, Stoinis, Maxwell and Richardson are among players expected to warm up at the IPL.

“I have full faith the IPL is a good prep. Throw a bit of faith in the franchises that they’ll pick the players so they are getting those games,” Bailey said.

Aaron Finch, who is recovering at home from a knee operation, has been named as captain.

Josh Inglis comes into the team after a productive time playing in the UK while the squads were in the West Indies and Bangladesh.

“Josh has been on our radar for some time with his performances in white ball cricket and more recently in the Vitality Blast where he topped the run charts,” Bailey said.

“He offers the squad flexibility in the batting order with his adaptability, counterattacking ability and power striking. He is a player we are excited about for the future.”

Dan Christian, the 38-year-old allrounder who was called up for the recent tours, is not in the squad of 15, but has been named as one of three travelling reserves along with Nathan Ellis and Daniel Sams.

“We are confident this squad has the ability to take the side deep into what will be an extremely competitive tournament,” Bailey said.
“We have some of the best players in the world in their respective roles combined with the collective experience to succeed against the very best T20 sides in the world.”

Alex Carey was another who missed out but Bailey said it is because the South Australian is seen as more of an ODI player.

“It‘s just based on performances and I want to be really distinct in separating one-day cricket and T20 here,” Bailey said.

“Even on this most recent tour his one-day cricket has been fantastic.

“We see him playing a lot more games of cricket for Australia and having a really big role in the culture of the team and the leadership of the team going forward.”

Bailey said that Wade, who captained in Aaron Finch’s absence in Bangladesh, is the first choice keeper but where he bats is not the selector’s role.

“We do (see Wade as the No.1 keeper) but it‘s not really up to me, the batting order,” Bailey told reporters via teleconference today.

“We‘ll talk to that as we get closer (to the World Cup) but I try to leave that to the captain as much as I can. The one thing when I look through that squad that I like is that it looks like a squad that is adaptable and flexible.

“There’s a number of guys who have batted at the top and a number of guys who have also rolled through the middle, and if we need to change that at times, we’ve got the flexibility to do so.”

Selectors also chose spinners Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar and Maxwell for a tournament where pace off the ball could be key.
“Mitchell has been impressive with the opportunities he has had,” Bailey said. “Given the amount of cricket being played at the World Cup venues, we expect the wickets in the UAE to favour slow bowling, particularly in the latter stages, so he gives us another strong leg-spin option.”

Josh Hazlewood has been given some compensation for his snub at the ODI World Cup with his selection after some fine bowling in recent matches.

Nine players, including Philippe, who have just returned from Bangladesh and who are still quarantining from that tour were not named: Wes Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Carey, Moises Henriques, Riley Meredith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner and Andrew Tye.
The remainder of the squad not playing in the IPL is due to depart for the UAE in late September or early October
Australia:  
Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)
Josh Inglis (Western Australia)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Glenn Maxwell (Victoria)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
Steve Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Marcus Stoinis (Western Australia)
Mitchell Swepson (Queensland)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (New South Wales)
Travelling reserves: Dan Christian (New South Wales), Nathan Ellis (Tasmania), Daniel Sams (New South Wales).