Australia announces a 13-man squad for the T20s against Sri Lanka

Cricket Australia announced a 13-man squad for the T20s against the Lankans. The leading run scorer of the Big Bash League Ben Dunk (364) and the leading wicket-taker Sean Abbott (20) did not make it to the squad. Despite that BBL performances were given weightage during the selection of the squad. It is a young bunch with a lot of newcomers with a pinch of experience.

The stand-in chairman of selectors of Cricket Australia Trevor Hohns said the youngsters named are those who they feel could play a crucial part in the World T20 that will be played down under in 2020. “The influence of younger players in this squad also gives us the opportunity to look forward to the ICC World T20, which is being hosted here in Australia in 2020. The overall standards being set in the BBL are very high and many of these players are making a good impression, but consistency was key for the selectors on this occasion.”

One half of the Australian side is busy preparing for the all-important four-Test tour of India which kicks off on 23rd February. Hohns explained that the selection of the players as he thinks that the mixture of young players with the experienced ones is perfect in this squad.

He said, “With Australia currently ranked number six in this format and with a number of our frontline players preparing for the India Test series, we have chosen a squad with a good blend of experience combined with several younger players in an effort to improve our performance and therefore our ICC T20 ranking.”

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Perth Scorchers who won the latest edition of BBL have a massive influence on this squad. Their seasoned batsman and leading run-scorer Michael Klinger is finally selected for this series. Klinger scored a total of 334 runs in this year’s BBL which led to his selection.

He scored a crucial 71 not out in the final as well. Hohns praised Klinger and said, “He has a history of strong performances in T20 competitions in the UK and in the BBL, including the match-winning innings for the Perth Scorchers to secure this year’s BBL title.”

Wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine makes a comeback into the team while Jhye Richardson and Billy Stanlake surprisingly have been included as well. Aaron Finch is to lead the squad with James Faulkner and Moises Henriques among the others who have experience.

“Tim Paine has been included as the batsman/wicketkeeper, adding to the more experienced players like captain Finch, Henriques, Faulkner and Tye, all of whom have consistent success across multiple summers of the BBL, as well as experience on the international stage,” Hohns added.

Chris Lynn who was injured during the last part of the BBL also makes it to the squad as his fitness remains in question. Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa, and Pat Cummins are the bowlers apart from Jhye Richardson and Billy Stanlake.

Australian squad for the T20s against Sri Lanka:

Aaron Finch (C), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake.