Australia has unveiled its 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with several notable omissions surprising fans and pundits alike. Veteran batter Steve Smith, rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk, experienced seamer Jason Behrendorff, and all-rounder Matt Short were among the big names left out of the squad as the reigning champions prepare for the four-week tournament set to be held in the West Indies and the USA.
Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar makes a comeback to the squad despite not featuring in a T20 International since the last T20 World Cup held on Australian soil in 2022. Agar joins Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Cameron Green as all-rounder options alongside Glenn Maxwell in the final squad.
Mitchell Marsh has been appointed as the captain for the tournament, confirming his elevation to full-time T20I captaincy alongside the squad announcement.
Selection chair George Bailey expressed confidence in the squad’s balance and ability to perform well in the tournament, citing the team’s extensive World Cup experience and versatile playing options.
Bailey acknowledged that the squad selection process was challenging, with many in-form players missing out on selection due to the constraints of a 15-player squad. He assured that the selectors would continue to monitor the performance of omitted players and may make changes to the squad in accordance with ICC regulations.
For Marsh, the T20 World Cup marks his first major tournament as captain after serving as interim captain for Australia’s T20I side over the past year.
Australia will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Oman in Barbados on June 5, followed by Group B fixtures against England, Namibia, and Scotland.
Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Teams have until May 25 to make changes to their squads, after which alterations will require approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.
