Australia name playing XI for first T20I against West Indies
Mitchell Owen is set to make his international debut while injury has ruled Matthew Short out of the T20I series.
Australia have confirmed their starting XI for the opening game in Jamaica, the first of the five-match T20I series against the West Indies.
While Owen has been handed over the debut, a minor side strain during training meant that Short will not participate in the series and has been sent back home.
Jake-Fraser McGurk, who was recalled to the side as a replacement for Spencer Johnson, will be playing the first match.
Australia XI for the first T20I: Mitch Marsh (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Nissan POTD: Fraser-McGurk unleashes the helicopter stroke
With the visitors resting a lot of senior members including Travis Head, Alex Carey and pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, the series provides an opportunity to fine-tune the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year in India and Sri Lanka.
“First and foremost, it's always 'we're representing Australia, we're here to win the series' and culturally, that's how we want to go about it," Australia’s T20I captain Mitch Marsh said while talking to cricket.com.au about his team’s approach to the series.
"There will be guys that get opportunities. We've obviously got a few guys missing for this series (for) a well-earned rest.
Mitch Marsh guides Australia to title | T20WC 2021
Mitch Marsh guides Australia to title | T20WC 2021
"But we want guys to be flexible, fluid, and come together as a team and be really connected.
"We don't want anyone to come in here and feel like they have to prove themselves. We've really got a strong squad."
Australia will take on West Indies in the first T20I on 20 July, the sides play two matches at Kingston, Jamaica followed by the final three games at Basseterre, St Kitts.