Australia announces men's and women's WT20 squads

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced its men's and women's squads for the ICC World Twenty20 to be played in the Caribbean from late April to mid May 2010.

Commenting on the men's squad, CA National Selection Panel (NSP) Chairman, Andrew Hilditch, said: "We've been preparing hard for this tournament since the last event and we're pleased with the squad's performance in recent games, under the captaincy of Michael Clarke. The squad has a good mix of experience and exciting young talent and is capable, at its best, of playing competitive and entertaining Twenty20 cricket.

"While Brett Lee hasn't played the amount of cricket we would've liked him to in preparation for the ICC WT20, he is one of the best Twenty20 cricketers in the world. He also has the opportunity of continuing to play in the IPL as preparation for this tournament. Ryan Harris is extremely unlucky to miss selection given his strong performances in all forms of the game in recent times for Australia.

"Dan Christian had limited opportunities in the lead-up to this selection but we see him an exciting Twenty20 cricketer with his all-round skills with bat and ball.

"Travis Birt is also unlucky to miss selection. He also had limited opportunity leading up to selection but we've gone with Mike Hussey who brings great international experience and is in fantastic form in all formats of the game right now. We've also added Tim Paine to give us cover in case of injury to Brad Haddin and of course, Tim's ability with the bat, more than warrants his selection."

Commenting on the women's squad, Women's NSP Chair Christina Matthews said: "The WNSP has selected a team that demonstrates a good mix of youth and experience that is strongly placed to challenge England for the title.

"The selection of Clea Smith to replace retired bowler Sarah Andrews brings some strong experience to the side. Clea was a member of the Australian side that won the ICC Women's World Cup 2005 and her form in the latter half of this season showed the value she can bring to the squad.

"Following the recent Twenty20 series against New Zealand, the WNSP has made one change to the batting line-up, bringing in exciting opener Elyse Villani into the team to replace Lauren Ebsary. The inclusion of Elyse will provide the team with some innovation within the line-up. Australian captain Jodie Fields is still recovering from a severe hamstring injury and been selected subject to fitness," she added.

The ICC World Twenty20 2010 will be held in the Caribbean commencing on 30 April with the final on 16 May 2010.

The Australian men's team is in Group A alongside Pakistan and Bangladesh, with its first pool match against Pakistan on Sunday 2 May (St Lucia) before playing Bangladesh on Wednesday 5 May (Barbados) to decide who goes through to the next round.

The women's team is in Group A alongside England, West Indies and South Africa. It plays England on 5 May, South Africa on 7 May and West Indies on 9 May to decide who goes through to the next round.