Australia have named a provisional squad for the Twenty20 World Cup with a strong focus on spin. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are included as they work their way back from injury.
Cummins missed most of the Ashes due to a lower back problem. He played only one Test in the series. Hazlewood did not feature at all because of an Achilles issue.
Cummins will undergo another back scan later this month. The results will decide if he is fit for the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which starts on February 7.
Hazlewood is also close to returning. Big hitter Tim David is recovering from a hamstring injury. The selectors expect both players to be ready in time.
Chief selector George Bailey said all three players are progressing well. He said the team is confident they will be available for the tournament. Bailey also said changes can still be made if needed before the final squad deadline.
The squad includes several spin options. Left arm spinners Matt Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly have been added. They join Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell in the spin group.
Australia will play all their group matches in Sri Lanka. The team expects pitches to help spin bowlers.
The selectors made some surprising calls. They did not pick a backup wicketkeeper for Josh Inglis. They also did not name a left arm pace option after Mitchell Starc retired from T20 cricket.
The fast bowling unit features Cummins and Hazlewood. Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett are also included. All rounders Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis add depth. All the pace options bowl right arm.
Bailey said the team’s recent success helped the selectors find the right balance. He said the squad suits the conditions expected in Sri Lanka and India.
Australia will begin their World Cup campaign on February 11. They will face Ireland in Colombo.
The team will announce a separate squad for a T20 series against Pakistan. That series will take place before the World Cup.
Australia squad: Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
