Steve Smith and David Warner return to Australia's T20 squad, Marcus Stoinis dropped
Steve Smith is all set to play his first T20I in over three years after being named in Australia's 14-man squad for their upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. David Warner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Ashton Turner also fond a spot, while all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been axed.
In a surprising move, Cricket Australia (CA) have included Ashes hero Steve Smith in their 14-man squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Smith's last appearance for Australia in T20 cricket was against India in Mohali in 2016 in the T20 World Cup. In IPL 2019, Smith scored 319 runs at an average of almost 40, amassing three fifties in the process.
David Warner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, and Ben McDermott have also been named in the squad while struggling all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been axed. Tearaway quick bowler Billy Stanlake and all-rounder Ashton Agar have also found a place in the squad, while BBL superstars D'arcy Short and Chris Lynn have been left out.Â
"The squad we have selected is quite role-specific and we believe it gives us the flexibility to thrive in all match conditions," said  Trevor Hohns, the national selector of Australia, reported Cricbuzz.
"It is almost a year to the day until Australia hosts the men's Twenty20 World Cup and we have selected this squad with that in mind. We have looked to put a squad together that we think can take us through to that tournament," he added.
Hohns said that each and every department has been scrutinized individually and that the squad has been picked keeping the balance and flexibility in mind. With a perfect blend of power-hitters and run accumulators with the bat and wicket-takers and economical bowlers with the ball, the Australian T20 squad looks quite balanced and formidable on paper.
"We're also confident in the potency and flexibility of our fast bowling group. Mitchell Starc gives us a left-arm option and has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading quicks at the top of the innings and at the death. Pat Cummins is a world-class right-arm option and has been in superb form of late. Andrew Tye is a wicket-taking proposition, Billy Stanlake has the X-factor and Kane Richardson has been an excellent short-form player for some time now.
"In terms of batsmen, we have selected top and middle-order specialists. The likes of Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner and Carey provide us with excellent options through the middle-order after Finch, Warner and Smith. In terms of spinners, we feel like the all-round package Ashton Agar possesses is irresistible at the moment and Adam Zampa has proven to be a very good T20 bowler in all conditions," Hohns said.
The first of the three T20Is between Australia and Sri Lanka will be played in Adelaide on October 27.
Australia's 14-man squad:Â Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa.