New Delhi: Australia have opted to rest their top Test players for the T20 series at home against Pakistan and are yet to appoint a captain of the team.
With an eye on the high profile Border-Gavaskar five-match Test series against India from November 22 in Perth that begins only four days after conclusion of their three-match T20 series against Pakistan, Australia rested pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, along with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head.
Australia will also be without the injured all-rounder Cameron Green, who us set to be on the sidelines for the entire Australian summer.
As Marsh, the usual T20I captain, is rested the door remains open for either of Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short to be appointed captain for the series against Pakistan.
Australia have recalled pacers Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson, who all return after injuries. The series begins in Brisbane on November 14, followed by the second game in Sydney two days later and Hobart on November 18.
“This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket, so we look forward to them continuing to enhance their international experience throughout this series,” Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said.
“We are excited by the mix of experience combined with those closer to the start of their international journeys.”
Before the T20 series, Australia host Pakistan for three one-day internationals that begins on November 4 in which Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc were named though Marsh and Head will be away on paternity leave.
Australia’s T20 squad
Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
