XtraTime Web Desk: Cricket Australia on Friday announced the squad for the forthcoming tour to England. Glenn Maxwell returns to the side from an elbow injury in place of D’Arcy Short while fellow all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is also back in the squad.
The Australian men’s squad led by Aaron Finch will travel to the United Kingdom from Perth on August 23. Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to detailed biosecurity and travel plans for what will be the first international tour undertaken by an Australian national sporting team since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The CA board approved the plans at a meeting last week and the Australian Government on Wednesday granted exemptions for outbound travel for the touring Australian squad.
Justin Langer, the Australian men’s Head Coach, said: “It’s vital for cricket that we do everything we can to keep the game going in these tough times.”
“I am delighted with how the players have returned to their states from the break back in March. The whole squad has come back fitter and stronger, which is great testament to each of them.
“We have a massive assignment ahead with World Cups, Test Series against India and South Africa and the Ashes next year. We can’t wait to get back into it again.”
The three One-Day Internationals will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
“It’s a squad with great depth and a sprinkle of some exceptional young players,” Trevor Hohns, National Selector, said.
“We are very pleased with the final group which was chosen with a view to continuing our recent form in T20 cricket and the longer term goal of returning to the top in the 50 over game.
Glenn Maxwell returns to the side from an elbow injury in place of D’Arcy Short while fellow all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is also back in the squad.
Australian men’s team Senior Assistant Coach Andrew McDonald will not travel with the squad to the UK to fulfill a pre-existing commitment as Head Coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. McDonald will resume his duties with the Australian men’s team at the conclusion of the IPL.
Experienced CA High Performance Coach Troy Cooley and Melbourne Stars WBBL Head Coach Trent Woodhill will provide coaching support to Justin Langer throughout the tour, in addition to Performance Analyst Dene Hills, Selector George Bailey and the broader team support staff.
The Australian squad will reach UK on August 24. They will be travelling to Derbyshire’s The Incora County Ground before transferring to The Ageas Bowl after England’s third Test match against Pakistan on August 27.
Australia will play a 50-over intra-squad practice game and three T20 practice matches before the start of the three-match T20I series against England commencing on September 4 at The Ageas Bowl.
Australian T20 and ODI squad for the Tour of England:
Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Sean Abbott (New South Wales)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (South Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)
Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)
Nathan Lyon (New South Wales)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Glenn Maxwell (Victoria)
Riley Meredith (Tasmania)
Josh Philippe (Western Australia)
Daniel Sams (New South Wales)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
Steven Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Marcus Stoinis (Western Australia)
Andrew Tye (Western Australia)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (New South Wales)
T20I series:
1st T20I: Friday 4 September at The Ageas Bowl
2nd T20I: Sunday 6 September The Ageas Bowl
3rd T20I: Tuesday 8 September The Ageas Bowl
ODI series:
1st ODI: September 11 at Emirates Old Trafford
2nd ODI: September 13 at Emirates Old Trafford
3rd ODI: September 16 at Emirates Old Trafford