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Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, Steve Smith, and David Warner are set to be part of a robust Australian T20 squad for the upcoming tour to New Zealand later this month.
Mitch Marsh will continue leading the team as captain in preparation for the T20 World Cup in June. The Black Caps squad for the three-game series is anticipated to be named during the second test against South Africa in Hamilton next week.
Fast bowlers Cummins and Starc, along with batters Head and Smith, are returning to the T20 side after being rested for the home T20 series against the West Indies starting in Hobart this Friday.
Cummins and Starc will replace Sean Abbott and Jason Behrendorff in the squad. Head and Smith are added to make a 15-player travelling group.
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Despite minor injury concerns, batter Matt Short, who suffered a low-grade hamstring injury in the second ODI against the West Indies, is expected to be fit for the New Zealand tour. All-rounder Aaron Hardie will step in for Short in the squad for the home T20s against the Windies. Nathan Ellis, recovering from a rib injury, will undergo a fitness test later this week and is also expected to join the tour.
National Selection Panel chair George Bailey remarked, “The next six games will provide us the opportunity to start shaping what we think our World Cup squad will look like and potential roles within that.”
The Australia T20 squad for the New Zealand tour includes Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, and Adam Zampa.
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Tour Schedule:
- February 21: First T20, Wellington
- February 23: Second T20, Auckland
- February 25: Third T20, Auckland