Glenn Maxwell and Mitch Marsh headline the four inclusions in the 14-man squads named to play South Africa for a six-match limited overs tour later this month.
Maxwell, Marsh, Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott have been added to the side, who’ll play three T20s and three ODIs against the Proteas in their first visit to the country since 2018’s famous ball-tampering scandal-plagued tour.
Marsh and Maxwell have been added to both the T20 and ODI squads, while Abbott and Richardson have only been added to the T20 squad.
Maxwell had narrowly missed selection for the tour to India as selectors wanted to give him more time to recover following a mental health break, but irrepressible form in the Big Bash League has seen him added back to the side.
“It is fantastic to have Glenn back in both squads given his brilliant form in the middle order for the Stars along with his results with the ball. Glenn was one of the first picked in the most recent T20 team at the start of the summer, prior to his break from the game,” said national selector Trevor Hohns.
The biggest surprise on the exclusion front is recently-crowned BBL player of the tournament Marcus Stoinis, which Hohns attributed to the “makeup of the current top order.”
“It is terrific to have a backup player of his calibre in such good form,” he said.
Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (vc, wk), Pat Cummins (vc), Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (vc, wk), Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Selectors also named the Australia A squad to play England Lions in a four-day match on February 22 at the MCG.
Moises Henriques (c), Jackson Bird, Marcus Harris, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja (vc), Michael Neser, Kurtis Patterson, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’d have said so a year ago but he’s bowled calmly and with some skill this year. Got a lot of tools
Rob
Guest
Wells' problem is his Strikers teammate Carey. Carey does everything Wells does, and more. So there really is no need for him.
Tom
He will get absolutely destroyed at international level
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
I think you will find Siddle has retired from all International cricket.
dan ced
Guest
I would much prefer youth getting a go over our test bowlers that haven't touched any domestic T20 cricket, since it's not the world cup yet you could rest the big guns to try out youth. I see nothing useful in Agar or Mitch Marsh at an international level. Why waste time on Agar when Travis Head bowls and bats better, for instance? Why put an unreliable slogger like Marsh in if his bowling isn't up to snuff at the moment? I'd have Wells, Sams and Siddle in the squad on their BBL form.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Pathetic
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
I agree. The opposition strength really doesn't matter because I don't see the relevance of this 3 match ODI series except just for sake of playing it. I would try out players like Nathan Ellis, Wes agar to give them opportunity to learn in international arena. Cummins had a looonnnggg summer. Though he is having a break, I wouldn't pick him for SA series.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I reckon he’ll be in the reckoning sooner rather than later but he’s got to rediscover the batting form he showed last season. He’s been rubbish this year
Jules
Roar Rookie
This, these good squads would have been even better had J Richardson been picked for the ODI and T20 squads and K Richardson only for the T20 one.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
No
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
If I were the Aussie selectors I would use the opportunity to blood a few youngsters this tour. Opposition gonna be poor anyway.
Tom
Most options are either with big bash sides still or have been prioritised in to state 2nd XI sides prior to shield. Some fairly stacked 2nd XI sides playing at the moment. CAXI sides have never really been based on anything more than developing players with 'potential' and availability.
Big Daddy
Guest
While we're on team selections I notice in today's CA X1 that Jake Lehman was the captain. Hasn't played shield for weeks because of no form and today 1st ball. Also James Sutherland s son was also in the side. Surely there's someone better.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
It's a strong team. Gonna be a long few weeks at the office for a seriously poor SA team.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Wells is just a bit too old and has too low a first class average I reckon. He does look superb in the Big Bash I must say, but it won’t be enough.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
If you honestly think that - words fail me.
Tom
Yeh fair point I guess. I just don't particularly rate the big bash at all and I struggle to see Wells, a guy who can't even get a state contract, fairing well against international bowling attacks.
Simon
Guest
Wells should be at 5 as a finisher, Smith st 3. A tournament winning T20 side requires role players to be able to adapt to game situations, Jon Wells has proven himself to be the best finisher in the country. It looks like they've gone with MMarsh at 5, for hitting power alone. But Wells is better at guiding a team to a score and can also go big. Add him to that squad and I think we've pretty much got every base covered
Tom
Wells. Lol. Do people really rate big bash runs that much? It’s an incredibly low quality competition despite what 7/fox try to tell us. There aren’t words to describe how much better an option Smith is than Jono Wells. Smith isn’t getting IPL money to be overlooked for national selection by a a glorified grade cricketer in Jono Wells:laughing:
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
A bit confusing to see JR not being in the ODI team, doesn't make sense unless still there are injury fears. Then the 3 match ODI series in this time doesn't make much sense to me. Saying that , though I don't agree with all the selection being made, I like the aggressive selection policy of rewarding players who are in form. Wade in t20 squad for SA series suggests he is in contention for wc squad, as it should be. Another good thing to see is, attaching importance to A games. That team sounds more like national reserve player team rather than some never heard before fringe state player team. That was good one too.