Australia name new T20 squad, leaders

Hard-hitting batsman Aaron Finch has been appointed captain of Australia's T20 side for the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan in the UAE.

Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey have been named joint vice-captains, while Chris Lynn has also been selected for the series starting in Abu Dhabi on October 24.

The 14-player squad features uncapped Tasmanian batsman Ben McDermott and welcomes back South Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa and Warriors quick Nathan Coulter-Nile. 

Squad: Aaron Finch (c), Mitch Marsh (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa. 

Finch is the No.1 T20 batsman in the world and is part of a leadership trio that mirrors the Test team. 

Queenslander Lynn has recovered from a shoulder complaint and has been in red-hot form in the ongoing JLT One-Day Cup.

The dynamic batsman, who is best known for his exploits in the T20 arena, has hammered 437 runs from six innings at an average of 87.40 in the 50-over competition.

 

McDermott has played 19 T20s in the KFC Big Bash League and boasts a strike rate of 145.78 and an average of 34.60.

The 23-year-old shot to prominence in January last year when he hammered a match-winning 114 from 52 balls as Hobart Hurricanes defeated Melbourne Renegades, and has posted two centuries for the Tigers in the JLT Cup. 

Coach Justin Langer said the new captain and vice-captains were part of the same selection process used to identify the leaders of the Men's Test team.

"Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge Aaron, Mitch and Alex on being announced as the new captain and vice-captains of the Australian T20 squad," Langer said.

"They are outstanding young men and extremely talented cricketers. To be endorsed by their peers, and to then back it up with powerful presentations, just showcased their leadership qualities and vision for Australian cricket.

"Aaron has already captained Australia in the recent T20s we played in Zimbabwe, and I’ve been extremely impressed with his impact on the Test squad over here in the UAE. We know he’s an exceptional player, and he’s arguably the most in form T20 player in the world at the moment.

"As we outlined when he was selected as joint Test vice-captain last week, Mitch has experience captaining Australia A and WA, and he’s an extremely popular member of the team. He’s a very talented and humble young man who leads through his actions and shows genuine care for his teammates.

"Alex has great leadership qualities, and again we were really impressed with the way he presented to the interview panel. He already knows the role having held the vice-captaincy in the recent tour of Zimbabwe, and as a wicket keeper he has eyes behind the stumps which we believe is extremely beneficial to the team. He’s an elite professional who also backs up his words through his actions.

"Chris Lynn has responded well from his shoulder injury and was professional during his rehabilitation. He’s had an outstanding campaign in the JLT Cup to date and reminded us how explosive and powerful a cricketer he can be."

Glenn Maxwell has also been included after being overlooked for Test selection, while incumbent Test spinner Nathan Lyon could play his first T20I game since January 2016.

Coulter-Nile could also figure having not playing at the international level in the past 12 months as he battled back injuries, while Zampa's impressive form in T20 competitions around the world has seen him earn a recall. 

"Nathan Coulter-Nile has done a terrific job to come back from injury. He’s shown tremendous resilience and fight to get back into the form required to be selected in the Australian T20 side. He’s an excellent white ball bowler and provides us with another mature performer in the team," Langer said.

"Adam Zampa’s form with the white ball here in Australia and in the overseas T20 competitions over the past 12 months have been impressive, and he’s proven he can stand up and deliver on the international stage.

"Ben McDermott is another young player who has been rewarded for taking his game to the next level. He’s put in the hard work to improve his strength and fitness, and there’s no doubt it’s been a key factor behind his impressive form in the JLT Cup. He’s performed well in the BBL, and he’s an outstanding young bloke."

Australia’s last T20I series was against Pakistan and Zimbabwe in July in Harare, where they lost the tri-series final to world No.1 Pakistan. 

The first match of the series will be played in Abu Dhabi on October 24 before back-to-back matches in Dubai on October 26 and 28.

Qantas Tour of the UAE

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez

Tour match v Pak A:Match drawn

Oct 7-11: First Test, Dubai

Oct 16-20: Second Test, Abu Dhabi