Uncapped Teen Included In Australia T20I Squad For New Zealand Series

Australia have announced their 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. While Aaron Finch will lead the team, Andrew McDonald will step up as team coach in the absence of Justin Langer, who will be in South Africa for a three-match Test series scheduled for the same time.

Matthew Wade, who has been dropped from the Test squad, will be Finch’s deputy. While Australia will be without some big names like Steve Smith and David Warner, there is no shortage of fire power in the squad as the likes of Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis have been included in the squad.

Australia have also included three uncapped players in their squad including teenage leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha. The 19-year old leg-spinner will bolster the spin attack that will be led by Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar. The other uncapped players are opener Josh Philippe and pacer Riley Meredith.

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been named in the squad too and will be hoping to play his first match for Australia in any format since March last year. Pacer Jason Behrendorff, who has not played a game for Australia since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, has found a place in the squad too.

“In a World Cup year, it’s exciting to select a squad that combines some of the biggest names in international T20 cricket with the best emerging players in the country,” Cricket Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said. “We like the balance of this squad for what should be a thrilling series against the Black Caps.

“The batting line-up will be strengthened by the inclusion of Matt Wade, who joins fellow experienced internationals such as Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, D’Arcy Short and Ashton Turner. They will be complemented by some wonderful young talent in the form of Josh Philippe and Ben McDermott, both of whom have been in strong form this BBL campaign.

“We are fortunate to have some excellent all-rounders to choose from which is reflected in the selections of Mitch Marsh, Daniel Sams and Ashton Agar along with the likes of Maxwell and Stoinis.

“Adam Zampa has developed into one of the best spinners in international white ball cricket and we have been most impressed by Tanveer Sangha, who has been brilliant throughout the pathways and with the Sydney Thunder this season.

“We are similarly buoyant about our fast bowling stocks. Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith and Jason Behrendorff have all impressed during the BBL and Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye are proven performers on the international stage,” he added.

Australia’s T20I squad:

Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (vc), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa

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