XtraTime Web Desk: Cricket Australia has left out their pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, spinner Nathan Lyon and top all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as they announce 13-man squad for T20I series against South Africa and India. As per coach Justin Langer, the cricketers along with Peter Siddle would take part in the Sheffield Shield to prepare for the 4-match test series against India and two matches against Sri Lanka. In place of them Marcus Stoinis and Jason Behrendorff are handed a chance to prove their worth in the limited overs series.
“We know coming off the back of the tour to the UAE, a huge summer at home, and the World Cup and Ashes just around the corner that we have to get the balance right between playing our best T20 team and preparing for the upcoming Test series,” said Langer.
“While I know all four have a desire to be playing for Australia in every format, with a really tough Test series against India coming up, we believe their best preparation is to go back and get some really good cricket under their belts in the Sheffield Shield.”
Aaron Finch’s Australia have lost 17 of their 19 ODIs and were thrashed 3-0 by Pakistan in a T20I series in the United Arab Emirates last month.
Left-armer Behrendorff returns after recurring back injuries, with all-rounder Stoinis, who was overlooked for the Pakistan series, also back.
“Marcus is such a versatile player, he’s a powerful middle-order batsman and he provides us with another solid bowling option,” said Langer.
“Jason Behrendorff has also earned a spot in the squad after returning to full fitness. Tactically we believe it’s important to have a good left-arm swing bowler at our disposal for the four matches.”
Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.