Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday (August 14) named a 21-man squad for the limited-overs tour of England in September. The squad comprises uncapped trio of Riley Meredith, Josh Phillipe and Daniel Sams.
See Also: England, Australia confirmed to play three ODIs, three T20Is in September
Glenn Maxwell has returned to the national reckoning after having last played in October and so has all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who wasn’t given a central contract after being dropped from national squads.
The three T20Is and an equal number of ODIs against England will be Australia’s first assignment after a lengthy COVID-19 hiatus.
Aaron Finch will lead the outsized squad, which also includes leading names such as Steve Smith, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa among others.
Speedster Pat Cummins has been named the sole deputy to Finch, meaning a demotion of sorts for the wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Australia will play internal practice matches on English soil in Derby after entering the bio-secure bubble in which they will face Eoin Morgan's World Cup-holding ODI team in three matches at Old Trafford after an initial three T20Is at the Ageas Bowl.
The T20Is will be played on September 4, 6 and 8 followed by the three ODIs on September 11, 13 and 16.
"It's a squad with great depth and a sprinkle of some exceptional young players," the selection chairman Trevor Hohns said. "After taking advice and reviewing the leadership of the squad we have decided to revert back to the traditional captain and one vice-captain set-up.
"Alex remains a genuine leader within the squad and will continue to provide valuable support to Aaron as skipper. Pat is very much in the same category and someone the entire squad has immense respect for as a person and a player. This is not a reflection of succession planning, but rather a decision to return to the traditional leadership set-up that has served Australian cricket so well for generations.
"We now have quite an established and experienced senior playing group who all play an important role in the leadership of the team on and off the field. As has always been the case all senior players have a strong voice in all aspects of planning, preparation and playing."
Australia's Squad:
Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
