Australia unveils 16-player squad for T20 series against Sri Lanka

Australia has unveiled its 16-player squad for the upcoming men’s T20 series against Sri Lanka, with an Ashes hero included.

Nic Savage

@nic_savage1

2 min read

January 26, 2022 - 5:27AM

Cricket

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Australia has unveiled its 16-player squad for the upcoming men’s T20 series against Sri Lanka, with Ashes hero Travis Head named in the national 20-over outfit for the first time in nearly four years.

After pummelling two centuries against England this summer, national selectors have rewarded 28-year-old Head by recalling him for the five-match T20 series, which gets underway in early February.

The South Australian left-hander has not represented Australia in the game’s shortest format since the T20 tri-series against Pakistan and Zimbabwe in July 2018.

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Hobart Hurricanes wicketkeeper Ben McDermott, who was on Tuesday morning anointed Player of the 2021/22 Big Bash League, has also been named in the Australian squad after cracking 571 runs in the domestic T20 tournament.

McDermott has made 19 appearances for Australia since making his international debut in 2018, but has never scored more than 35.

“I don‘t think that I wasn’t ready to play for Australia (before), but I do feel ready now,” he told reporters on Tuesday morning. “I feel like I’m at the top of my game.

“I‘ve developed a lot of learnings through those experiences. They haven’t been good ones, I won’t shy away from that, but I’ve definitely learned from those experiences and hopefully I come back well.”

Veteran all-rounder Moises Henriques has been included, along with Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who is yet to make his international debut.

“This squad will begin preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup defence at home later this year and includes several players who have an early chance to impress in these five matches against a quality opposition,” chair of the national selection panel George Bailey said in a statement.

T20 World Cup champions David Warner and Mitch Marsh have been omitted from the squad, allocated time to rest ahead of the upcoming tour of Pakistan.

Perth Scorchers all-rounder Marsh is under an injury cloud ahead of Friday’s Big Bash final after damaging his hamstring.

Australian coach Justin Langer will also be taking a break ahead of the Pakistan series, and assistant Andrew McDonald will serve as team mentor during the T20 series, which will feature games in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

Strong Aussie T20 squad for the series against Sri Lanka.

Good to see Ben McDermott and Moises Henriques both included as well as Travis Head who returns to the white-ball setup.

Josh Inglis also returns and could potentially open with David Warner rested. #AUSvSL
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) January 25, 2022

Australian squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka

Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott , Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Australian quick Josh Hazlewood, who missed the last four Ashes Tests with a side strain, makes his long-awaited return to the national side for the Sri Lanka series.

“I’ve got a couple of weeks up my sleeve to get right and should be fine,” he told reporters at the SCG on Friday.

“It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks, no doubt (but) watching away on TV with the rest of the country was fantastic. Watching us dominate all five Test matches was awesome.”

Australia’s T20 series against Sri Lanka gets underway at the SCG on February 11.