The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Nevill the shock inclusion as Australia announce World T20 squad

8th February, 2016
Advertisement
Is Peter Nevill Australia's best keeper? Or has he now dropped to third? (AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS)
8th February, 2016
223
2991 Reads

After a summer of selection snubbings, Usman Khawaja has been named in Australia’s squad for the World T20 in India next month, with the only shock selection being Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill being named over incumbent limited overs gloveman Matthew Wade.

Nevill, who has yet to play any limited overs cricket at international level, was selected after a series of poor performances behind the stumps from Wade, on the understanding that Australia’s batting was strong enough, but leaking runs or dropping catches could cost games.

“We feel our batting depth in this squad is sufficient enough that we can have a specialist wicketkeeper in the squad,” said national selector Rod Marsh. “We want Australia’s best wicketkeeper playing in this tournament and we consider Peter Nevill to be the best in the country right now.”

More cricket:
» The Liebke Ratings: New Zealand vs Australia third ODI
» Has Brendon McCullum retired a tad too early?
» McCullum: Withdrawing appeal would have been ‘disrespectful’
» Watch: New Zealand retain Chappell-Hadlee Trophy amid controversy
» New Zealand vs Australia highlights: New Zealand take Chappell-Hadlee trophy
» Scorecard: New Zealand vs Australia third ODI

Aaron Finch also received the chop – albeit from the captaincy, rather than the squad altogether – with Test and one day captain Steve Smith now also taking the T20 reins.

“Aaron Finch has done a very good job captaining Australia in T20 cricket,” Marsh said. “He will have benefited enormously from the leadership opportunity and will remain a highly-respected leader within the Australian squad.

“However since he became T20 captain, there has been a broader leadership transition in Test and one-day international cricket with Michael Clarke retiring and Steve Smith assuming the captaincy in Test and one-day cricket.

“We think now is the right time for Steve to lead Australia in all three forms of the game as it offers us important continuity, not only ahead of the World T20, but beyond that tournament as well.”

Advertisement

The other bolter in the squad is Ashton Agar, who is also yet debut for Australia in the shortest format of the game. Agar joins Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell as Australia’s spin options at the tournament, with Nathan Lyon omitted.

Also missing the plane from the squad who recently faced India on home shores are Shaun Marsh, Shaun Tait, Chris Lynn, Travis Head, Kane Richardson and Scott Boland.

Australia’s World T20 squad
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Adam Zampa

close