Australia Announce T20I Squad For Pakistan Series

Australia, on Friday, announced the squad for the upcoming three-match  T20I series against Pakistan. Opening batsman Aaron Finch will lead the side during the series in United Arabia Emirates. Following their recently-started rule, Australia appointed two vice-captains Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey. Australia recently announced Josh Hazlewood and Marsh as the two Test vice-captains.

Hard-hitter Chris Lynn has also returned to the side. The right-hander has recovered from a shoulder injury and has been doing extremely well in the domestic one-day tournament. The Queensland star has so far scored 437 runs from six innings at an average of 87.40.

Lynn has scored those runs with the help of two centuries and three fifties while collecting the runs at a strike rate of 118.10.

Speaking on Finch’s appointment as the skipper, head coach Justin Langer said:

“Aaron has already captained Australia in the recent T20s we played in Zimbabwe. And I’ve been extremely impressed with his impact on the Test squad over here in the UAE. We know he’s an exceptional player. And he’s arguably the most in form T20 player in the world at the moment.”

“As we outlined when he was selected as joint Test vice-captain last week, Mitch has experience captaining Australia A and WA. And he’s an extremely popular member of the team. He’s a very talented and humble young man who leads through his actions,” he added.

On Lynn, Langer said:

“Chris Lynn has responded well from his shoulder injury and was professional during his rehabilitation. He’s had an outstanding campaign in the JLT Cup to date and reminded us how explosive and powerful a cricketer he can be.”

Glenn Maxwell, who could not make it to the Test squad, has also made it to the 14-man squad alongside D’Arcy Short. Also returning from injury is Nathan Coulter-Nile. Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye and Billy Stanlake will form the pace attack. On the other hand, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar will be the the frontline spinners.

Australia have also included uncapped Ben McDermott in the side. Son of former Australia pacer Craig McDermott, Ben boasts a strike rate of 145.78 in T20s. He shot to limelight in January last year when he hammered a match-winning 114 from 52 balls as Hobart Hurricanes defeated Melbourne Renegades.

The series will start after the conclusion of the two-Test series. The first match of the series will be played in Abu Dhabi on October 24 before back-to-back matches in Dubai on October 26 and 28.

Australia squad:

Aaron Finch (c), Mitch Marsh (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.