Australia batter Travis Head and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood were named in the Australia squad for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa.
Both Head and Hazlewood were not picked for the recently concluded five-match T20I series in the Caribbean, where the Aussies secured a 5-0 win in the series.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were rested for the upcoming South Africa tour of Australia. In the absence of Cummins, Mitchell Marsh will be leading the ODI side for the home tour.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Owen has earned his maiden ODI cap and Cameron Green has been made a comeback. Despite getting the axe from the Test XI, Marnus Labuschagne manages to retain his place in the ODI squad.
On the other hand, Matthew Short has recovered from his minor side strain, is picked in both the squads.
Xavier Bartlett and Lance Morris has also been returned to the squad with Sean Abbott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie has been dropped out after the West Indies series.
Speaking on the squad announcement, chief selector George Bailey indicating the team will continue to build towards next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
“As we build towards the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive,” Bailey said.
“The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see.
“Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights.
“The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we feel the entire group embraced every opportunity.
“We expect that to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as we balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer.”
The tour begins with T20I leg with the first T20I match played on August 10 at TIO Stadium.
Australia Squad for South Africa T20Is: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
Australia Squad for South Africa ODIs: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
