Australia’s quicks and all-rounders among players rested in lead up to summer of cricket

David Warner and Steve Smith will stay in India to contest the upcoming T20 series, but a host of frontline quicks and all-rounders will be rested in the lead-up to summer.

Australia will hand its frontline quicks and seaming all-rounders a rest ahead of the home Test summer, but David Warner and Steve Smith will be among those to remain in India after the World Cup for a Twenty20 series against the hosts.

Selectors on Saturday unveiled the 15-man squad for the five T20s against India, which are jammed in between the end of the World Cup and the first Test against Pakistan.

The side that beat South Africa 3-0 across August and September forms the basis of the squad, with Warner and Smith returning after missing that series.

Pat Cummins, Mitch Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green have all been left out, allowing them time to recuperate from the World Cup and prepare for the start of the home summer, which begins against Pakistan in Perth on December 14.

Australia's captain Pat Cummins will take a break before the summer of cricket begins. Picture: Arun Sankar/AFP

In Marsh’s absence, Matthew Wade – who occasionally deputised for Aaron Finch – returns as skipper.

The decision to keeps Smith and Warner in India rules out any prospect of the pair playing a Sheffield Shield match before the first Test.

Selectors have not publicly guaranteed Warner his desired farewell home series but he remains the incumbent and performed well in his most recent Test at The Oval in July.

The India series shapes as important preparation on the road to next June’s T20 World Cup in West Indies and US.

“It’s an experienced squad with a mixture of players who have had their first opportunity on the international stage and that we hope will continue to develop into important players in our T20 group,” said men’s selection chief George Bailey.

Mitchell Starc has also been rested. Picture: Sajjad Hussain/AFP

“Matthew has captained the team previously, is a leader in the group and we look forward to him taking the reins for this series. Like Mitch Marsh in the South Africa series, this is another great opportunity to further deepen our international leadership experience and depth.

“It’s always a great challenge to take on India on their home soil. Most of the squad have extensive experience in playing in India, including eight members of the current ODI World Cup squad, alongside Tanveer Sangha who is currently a travelling reserve.”

Ashton Agar was not considered for selection following his recent calf setback.

Squad: Matthew Wade (captain), 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.