Cricket Australia name preliminary 26-man squad ahead of possible England tour

The national selectors of Australia have named a 26-man group of players as Australia’s men’s team looks towards a return to on-field action. The preliminary list includes several young players who have recently excelled at state level and in the BBL along with the experienced players. The selectors have identified 26 players in the view of upcoming T20 World Cup and 2023 World Cup.

Australian cricket team was expected to tour England in the month of July for a three-match ODI and T20 series. However, the tour was suspended in the wake of the novel coronavirus. Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are now in talks regarding hosting the postponed series in the UK in September.

If the tour commences, it will take place in a bio-secure bubble with players being quarantined before the series just like the West Indies tour of England. Some of the prominent names in the list are uncapped trio Daniel Sams, Riley Meredith and Josh Philippe. BBL stars Daniel Sams, Riley Meredith and Joshua Philippe have also been added in the group.

Notably, players like Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Usman Khwaja who have been out of the game since last year have also been named in the list. Paceman Andrew Tye has also been named despite not being offered a state contract by Western Australia for this season.

We continue to work with ECB, says Ben Oliver

Executive General Manager of National Teams, Ben Oliver said that naming a 26-player squad will give a head start to the game and a clarity to all the players. The ECB are a long-standing and valued international cricket partner and we are doing all we can to give the tour the best possible chance of taking place. We continue to work with the ECB and government agencies and a decision on the tour will be made in due course,” he said.

“In the meantime, the identification of a preliminary list will enable us to work with players and states more directly on the preparation for the tour in the hope it can proceed. The health and wellbeing of players and staff, along with our commitment to public health within our communities, remain our utmost priority.” he added.

Australia’s preliminary squad: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Michael Neser, Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams, D’Arcy Short, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.