Published: Jan 18, 2016, 06:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 18, 2016, 06:43 PM (IST)
Australia has announced its squad for three-match T20 series against India. Team will be led by Aaron Finch while Matthew Wade will don the wicketkeeping gloves. Nathan Lyon and Shaun Tait will most possibly get an entry for. Chairman of selection committee Rod Marsh was quoted by ESPNcricinfo saying, “We don’t know [how much express pace will make a difference] and I don’t know whether we’ll find out – it’s up to Shaun now. To be honest I didn’t even know if he was going to play that many [BBL] games. I knew he was on the list. He’s probably the fastest bowler in the country at the moment. You do need a bit of pace in T20 cricket.” FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd ODI at MCG.
Shane Watson, who is also recalled to the squad said on Tait, “I did face him. I faced two balls, one was a very fast bouncer and the other one I nicked off, so he was very good! Shaun Tait’s an X-Factor, always has been, and it’s great to see him back around the Aussie team. I still believe he has a lot to offer, with his body right and bowling fast, the way he releases the ball is different to anything you face, so it’s awesome he’s got another opportunity.” Nathan Lyon: Looking forward to perform against India
Talking about Lyon, Rod Marsh said, “We’re probably looking to see how he goes and it is an audition for him re India, I guess. He’s got such a wonderful record in Test cricket, we didn’t want to jeopardise that in any way, shape or form. He’s been a terrific bowler for us in Test match cricket and we certainly didn’t want to play him in a few odd one-day games or an odd T20 here or there, and for him to start bowling flat and losing that terrific rhythm that he’s now got.” READ: Australia eager to win ICC World T20 2016, says Aaron Finch
Marsh also talked about Andrew Tye’s selection, “Not many countries have seen much of him. His form in the last two Big Bash Leagues has been outstanding. He is a good death bowler as well, and really it is death from over one in T20.”
“We’ll have to use a little bit of knowledge from the IPL, et cetera, to get that final 15 which is not going to be an easy task. I would imagine we would like to give all of the 17 a go somewhere, otherwise we wouldn’t have picked that massive squad. The reason we picked [such a big] squad is some guys will be going off to New Zealand early [ahead of the ODI and Test series].”
Australia T20I squad: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Shaun Marsh, Cameron Boyce, Nathan Lyon, Chris Lynn, Travis Head, Kane Richardson, Andrew Tye, Scott Boland, Shaun Tait
