Travis Head added to Australia squad for Lankan tour

Big-hitting left-handed batsman Travis Head has been recalled to the Australian limited-overs’ side for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka. The Aussies, who are being given a proper lesson on spin bowling from their Lankan counterparts have already named their 16-man squad for the home series against Sri Lanka scheduled to take place in February next year during the Australian summer.

Darren Lehmann, the incumbent coach of the Australian team has stated that the addition of Head to the side is keeping in line with the future of T20I and Australian cricket at the same time. Lehmann also added that it was important to give the younger blokes as much experience as possible. “He’s a young player who has the attributes we think are quite important here,” Lehmann told media before travelling to Colombo today.

“We want to give him as much experience because he’s a young guy who’s had some success. He hasn’t had enough international exposure and we think it’s a really good time to do that, with an eye on the future as well.

“We’ve been impressed with him. That’s why he has come in a bit early. It’s only a couple of days earlier than the one-day squad.”

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Steve Smith, the skipper of the Australian side stated that it was time to bring in sweeping changes, not in the squad, but rather in the way the Australian batsmen approached spin bowling in conditions conducive to the same. “Yeah it certainly needs to be looked at,” the captain admitted. “If there are guys that can play spin well in these conditions then it’s certainly got to be a chance. “It’s been too long now, so whatever we’re doing it’s not working. “So yeah, there might be a need for some changes.”

Adam Zampa, James Faulkner, and George Bailey were eventually recalled to the side for the T20I series.

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (VC), George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Greenlong to host first international match against Sri Lanka

In a rather historic development, the Victorian port city of Greenlong is all set to host its first ever international match when the Sri Lankans will face off against the Aussies for a T20 International at the stadium. Cricket Australia released the dates and the schedule of the tour, stating that Greenlong would be one of the venues of the series. The Sri Lankans will make their way to Australia in February next year to play a series of 3 T20Is.

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“We’re committed to taking the game to as many parts of the country as possible and we continue to work with regional areas around Australia on how we can make this happen,” James Sutherland, CA chief executive, said on Monday. “Geelong proved its capability to host cricket last summer with a successful BBL exhibition match between the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades attracting more than 10,000 people.

“We’re really looking forward to the people of the Geelong region and beyond, packing out the stadium and supporting the women’s and men’s national sides,” he added.

Twenty20 Series Australia v Sri Lanka

17 February: MCG, Melbourne

19 February: Kardinia Park, Geelong

22 February: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

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