Steve Smith and David Warner will spearhead Australia’s preparations for a maiden T20 World Cup title as selectors seek rare continuity in the 20-over format.
Darcy Short, Chris Lynn and Marcus Stoinis were the notable omissions from the squad named on Tuesday for games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan starting later this month.
Aaron Finch will captain the side and likely open alongside Warner, with Smith at first drop, while those outside the squad have been encouraged to push their case in the Big Bash League before the World Cup begins on home soil next October.
Australians T20 squad:
Aaron Finch (capt)
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.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Agree that Faulkner is a better T20 bowling option than Richardson. Faulkner's an aggressive batsman but his batting returns are a shadow of what they once were.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Not sure I can agree re JR's control. His speed comes with lower margins for error in accuracy. Unfortunately I've seen far too many flicks off the leg go screaming to the boundary in BBL. I think his best formats are one day and FC where he can blast batsman out but still afford a few loose ones.
Faulkner is a gun t20 bowler, aggressive lower order batsman. Better than Jye Richardson in this format at least
Cut Loose
Roar Rookie
I’d swap faulkner with jhye richardson. Jhye provides better control, and you don’t really need two lefties in the XI.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
I think the t20 side should just go all out with an aggressive 5 prong bowling attack with variation and batting depth. Khawaja/Short Warner Smith Maxwell Mcdermott (wk) Christian/Turner (if bowling) Agar/Nair Faulkner Starc Cummins Zampa
AREH
Roar Guru
Wade a major surprise, thought the Hobart opening pair would be certainties in the squad. I don't know why Smith desperately wants to play the format, but difficult to exclude the guy I guess if he does. His least dominant format though, so surely not a lock in the XI.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Smith has been alot better recently in t20 alot of his stats in t20 a mainly when he was just a decent batsmen not at his peak.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Agreed an Anchor is important and while Smith is otherwise amazing, thats not necessaily in t20.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
I still think Smith can play a big role in the T20. Having an anchor is still important just look at Kane Williamson for Sunrisers. Plus you then have Maxwell and Smith to face most the spin our 2 better players of spin.
Nick
Roar Guru
Wouldn't really say Smith is leading the T20 Cup charge. It's actually a mild weakness in an otherwise flawless career. He's not the best T20 player out there. To the point where I wouldn't consider him a walk up start in an Australian XI.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Should of picked Faulkner the t20 should go bowler heavy.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
Billy Stanlake... I still don’t get it.
csps
Roar Rookie
Matthew Wade's omission from the squad is a surprise for me.