Australia T20 Squad has made changes for the forthcoming five-match series against West Indies in July, with Jake Fraser-McGurk dropped and Mitchell Owen included for the first time.
Mitchell Marsh is also being brought back as captain, as some of Australia’s main players have been rested for the series. Below is a closer look at the recent developments involving Australia’s T20 team.
Key Changes in Australia’s T20 Squad
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The major news out of the recent T20 squad announcement is the exclusion of Jake Fraser-McGurk, whose international career has run into some trouble. Following a series of disappointing performances, with only a single score over 26 in his previous 19 T20 games, Fraser-McGurk has been left out of the 16-man team.
Though he showed such big promise as a possible David Warner replacement, the 23-year-old has been urged to concentrate on franchise and domestic cricket in an attempt to play better.
Conversely, Mitchell Owen, after a stunning Big Bash League (BBL) campaign with Hobart Hurricanes, has been given a spot in the team. Owen’s excellent displays, two of which were centuries in the BBL, have provided him with an opportunity to taste international success.
Though his form tailed off while playing in the SA20, PSL, and IPL, his BBL achievements have impressed selectors, who want to know if he can carry the same trick at the international stage.
Resting Key Players Before Future Series
A number of Australia’s T20 team key players have been rested for the West Indies series. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Travis Head are all out, with the hope of them being back for the next series against South Africa in August.
Interestingly, Josh Hazlewood is the lone frontline quick who will stay with the squad despite his hectic schedule during the IPL, World Test Championship, and the West Indies Test series.
Cameron Green, who was injured, has been named in the team as a specialist batsman, although he’s only likely to bowl towards the end of the year. Matthew Short, who has been unavailable since February because of a quad injury, will make a comeback to Australia’s top order in the West Indies series.
New Faces in Australia’s T20I Squad
The West Indies series squad features a combination of veterans and newcomers, with selectors keen to lay the groundwork for the 2024 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Left-arm Queensland spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is set to debut in T20Is, with experienced Adam Zampa serving as the second specialist spinner in the team.
Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, and the addition of a number of other spin-specialist players indicate Australia’s intent on constructing a spin-heavy plan as they prepare for the World Cup. The fact that Ashton Agar is missing out due to a calf strain has also highlighted the emphasis on spin alternatives.
Fraser-McGurk Faces Setback; Calls for Improvement
Jake Fraser-McGurk’s omission from the Australia T20 team is a major blow to what promised to be a promising career. Following a bright beginning, Fraser-McGurk had not been able to offer consistent performances, which resulted in his being dropped from the team.
Although his inherent ball-striking prowess cannot be denied, his batting style and decision-making have been questioned.
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Selectors are said to be hoping Fraser-McGurk can employ the time out of international cricket to play greater amounts of four-day cricket for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield. That, they believe, will serve to give him the technical base in order to prosper at the international level.
Mitchell Owen’s Chance to Shine
Mitchell Owen’s addition to the team is one of the biggest pluses of the selection. Famous for his scorching batting in the Big Bash League, Owen’s two centuries during Hobart Hurricanes’ victories were instrumental in securing the team their first-ever title.
His IPL and other T20 league performances have been patchy, but selectors are providing him with an opportunity to shine on the big stage.
Owen’s ability to bat at the top of the order could be pivotal in Australia’s search for the ideal opening pair for next year’s T20 World Cup. His competition will likely come from Mitchell Marsh, who has impressed as an opening batter in the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants, and Travis Head, who will return to the squad at a later date.
Australia T20 Squad for West Indies Series: Full List
Mitchell Marsh (Captain)
Cameron Green
Glenn Maxwell
Adam Zampa
Matthew Kuhnemann
Josh Hazlewood
Mitchell Owen
Travis Head (rested for the time being)
Matthew Short
Cooper Connolly
The addition of Matthew Kuhnemann and Mitchell Owen brings new elements to Australia’s team, as the selectors aim to strike a balance between experience and new blood ahead of the World Cup.
Whereas experienced players such as Hazlewood and Zampa will still be leading the charge, younger players such as Owen and Kuhnemann are likely to make significant contributions towards developing the team’s future.
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