Australia T20 squad for West Indies announced, David Warner's vacation halted

Mitchell Marsh is all set to lead the Australia T20I side for the three-match series against West Indies. The WIndies are currently in Australia for an all-format tour. Australia won the first Test and the second Test starts at the Gabba on January 25. This is the first time Marsh will lead in Australia in the T20I format and has a strong squad at his disposal.

Before the T20I series, both teams play a three-match ODI series between January 2-6. Steve Smith is all set to lead the side in the ODIs with Marsh rested in that series along with the likes of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Glenn Maxwell was withdrawn from the ODI side after his recent incident. However, he will be back in the T20I squad and is available for the three-match series.

Marsh, however, will be back to lead the T20I side with Steve Smith rested for the three-match series. David Warner who was playing for the Dubai Capitals in the UAE in the ILT20 2024 has been called back for the T20I series. Warner had earlier announced his retirement from Test and ODI cricket after the World Cup.

Mitchell Marsh Steps In As Australia T20I Captain With Pat Cummins Rested

Smith, however, expects to return to the format in New Zealand and wants to be the side’s opener come June in the T20 World Cup 2024.

“I definitely want to be a part of it, as anyone would I suppose. “I’ve had a few opportunities to open (in T20Is). I did well (there) in the Big Bash and it’s different to international cricket but haven’t had a huge opportunity there.” Smith told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Andrew McDonald is also not coaching the West Indies series with Daniel Vettori taking charge although he may be present for one of the matches in Hobart. Chairman of Selectors George Bailey confirmed that a decision on the permanent captain will not be made until after the New Zealand series when McDonald and Marsh will likely get to work together.

“I think we will make a decision about that post the New Zealand series. New Zealand will be the time when Andrew jumps back in so it’s a good chance to see how those two work together. Confident that’ll work, but we just haven’t seen it yet. That’s the way that’s tracking. Mitch will obviously get the opportunity here and likely to get the opportunity in New Zealand as well” Bailey said.

Meanwhile, Cummins and Starc will return to the T20I squad against New Zealand and will be playing in the Test series as well. The two will be playing in the IPL 2024 for different items as well. While Cummins will p[play for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Starc will play for the Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR picked Starc for a whopping 25.75 crores in the IPL 2024 auction making him the most expensive player in IPL history.

The Australian T20I squad consists of specialist players. The selectors picked Matt Short to give him an extended run as an opener. Short has had another wonderful season for the Strikers and finished as the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 541 runs. The first T20I will be played in Hobart on February 9 with Adelaide hosting the second and the third games on February 11 and 13 respectively.

Australia T20I Squad For West Indies Series: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Also Read: BBL Final Live Streaming In India Channel- When And Where To Watch Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat Live? Big Bash League Final 2024