Australia have gone back to the future by selecting ageing veterans Brad Hogg, Brad Hodge and Brad Haddin in their squad for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month.
Hogg, 43, is set to become the oldest player in the history of international T20 cricket, while 39-year-old Hodge is celebrating his own career renaissance after years on the outer of Australian selection.
The notion that T20 cricket is a young man’s game has been further dismissed by the selection of Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (36) who replaces incumbent Matthew Wade.
The 15-man-squad will attempt to bring home Australia’s first World T20 trophy after four unsuccessful attempts, with their campaign beginning on March 23.
However, Australia will first head to South Africa for a series of warm-up internationals leading into the tournament.
Allrounder James Faulkner has been picked in anticipation he’ll recover from knee surgery, while along with Haddin, David Warner, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson will come across from the Test squad.
George Bailey will captain the team.
Australia’s first match of the tournament is against Pakistan on March 23 at 8.30pm (AEDT).
George Bailey (capt, Hobart Hurricanes), Dan Christian (Brisbane Heat), Nathan Coulter-Nile (Perth Scorchers), James Faulkner (Melbourne Stars), Aaron Finch (Melbourne Renegades), Brad Haddin (Sydney Sixers), Brad Hodge (Melbourne Stars), Brad Hogg (Perth Scorchers), Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars), James Muirhead (Melbourne Stars), Mitchell Johnson (Brisbane Heat), Mitchell Starc (Sydney Sixers), David Warner (Sydney Thunder), Shane Watson (Brisbane Heat), Cameron White (Melbourne Stars).
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Captain Caps Lock, Paine opening in the Big Bash was a big success, and he has proven in Tests and ODIs he is up to the challenge of international cricket. But I know you knew that already, being an expert and all.
Dan Ced
Roar Rookie
I was probably focusing on what was a fairly poor end to BBL03 and several frustrating dismissals in the T20I's He isn't on my most hated list anymore, I enjoyed his better BBL03 innings, improved bowling etc. I don't think anybody will displace Shaun Marsh on my most hated list.
Brett McKay
Expert
Dan, his returns might be a bit better than you realise.. Maxwell in the BBL: 143 runs @ 47.66, SR 198.6, in five Inns 3 wkts @ 16.3, ER 6.12rpo, in three Inns.
Brett McKay
Expert
Because he's too good a T20 batsman to not play him! And a 39-year old backup batsman makes no sense when you're leaving guys like Marsh, Dunk, Lynn, etc home...
Dan Ced
Roar Rookie
Yeah Paine and Whiteman very unlucky I think, but I've been in the "anything but Wade" camp for years now. Hads proved his worth in the ashes so not a horrible pick. Maxwell cannot possibly be there on batting form, his bowling has been quite good and his fielding excellent though, he should be down the order as a bowling slogger.. its a wasted wicket playing him up high. I'd leave Warner out because I'm sick of seeing his sizable face, and put Klinger in there to open with Flaky Finch... need a Strikers player.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
good squad
Punter
Guest
Feel free to compare their t20 records, Lynn will play plent of international cricket but Watto is up their with the best 2 or 3 t20 players in the world
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Hodge is quite good in the field too though.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
I can't believe Tim Paine isn't even in the squad. He's been batting beautifully in the Big Bash for the Hurricanes.
Nudge
Guest
Maybe the selectors didn't know Haddin had retired. They have done sillier things of late
Getoverit
Guest
PAINE CANNOT BAT, I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT IT
Getoverit
Guest
PAINE CANNOT BAT, I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT IT
jameswm
Guest
Why not pick Hodge s a backup? He's a bloody experienced one to pull in in case of injury or crisis.
JGK
Roar Guru
Try the veal...
JGK
Roar Guru
Maxwell's fielding is worth a lot though.
JC
Guest
Quite right, people do get caught up in the cult status that Hogg has and his story. But the reality is he has not been successful in International T20 cricket.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Paine a bit unlucky I reckon
Zac
Guest
I am really disappointed that lynn isn't in the squad but i am happy for hodge and hogg.My starting xi: 1.finch 2.warner 3.watson 4.bailey 5.hodge 6.maxwell 7.haddin 8.faulkner 9.NCN/mith starc 10.mith j/mitch starc 11.hogg I would actually play hodge ahead of white because i have enough top-order batsman and i need hodge to finish off the innings.I really don't know why dunk hasn't made the squad maybe they would have taken him as a second-choice w/k.
jammel
Guest
It's the squad I would have taken, with the only exception being the inclusion of Hodge instead of Lynn. I would have given Lynn a run!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
At least Haddin has been in good form with the gloves. In my opinion they couldn't take Wade, his keeping has just been consistently poor. If Australia hadn't been hammering England by so much in those T20's then Wade's keeping could have really cost them several times. So it was either bring Haddin back or you are looking at maybe Payne or Whiteman.