Australia have included middle-order batter Marcus Stoinis in the squad for the three-match New Zealand series, which begins on October 1 in Mount Maunganui. Stoinis rejoins the side after missing the two white-ball series against West Indies and South Africa. He later revealed his absence from both series was pre-planned with the Australian coach and chief of selectors, in a bid for him to feature in the Hundred.
He will be adding firepower to the Australian middle order and could be used for his medium pace as the side loses two of their fast-bowling options to retirement (Mitchell Starc) and injury (Pat Cummins). Like Cummins, Australia will also be without Spencer Johnson, who, being a tall left-arm quick and capable of hitting high speeds regularly, was being viewed as Starc’s replacement in the format. However, the chances of Johnson playing before the year ends are slim, with him still recovering from a bone stress injury diagnosed during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April. He was earlier selected in the squad for the West Indies series but was eventually ruled out.
“The latest update for Spencer is that it’ll be sometime in the new year that he’ll start to come back online again,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “What that looks like and at what point, I don’t think there’s anything definitive on that, still hoping that he can have an impact both domestically and potentially internationally towards the back end of the year.”
While Cameron Green is closer than ever to reassume his bowling duties, that will not happen in this series. The all-rounder is set to sit it out and feature in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield to work back into bowling rhythm. And if that was not enough, Nathan Ellis, who has become central to Australia’s T20I bowling lineup, will also not be with the touring party for New Zealand, as he stays with his wife, who is expecting their first child.
Fortunately for Australia, Matthew Short is fit again for the New Zealand tour after being ruled out with a side injury during the South Africa series. This was the second time this year he found himself left out of the team, the first being during the Champions Trophy when he picked up a quad injury.
The three-game series will end within four days, after which Australia will play India in a home white-ball series, including three ODIs and five T20Is. This series will be their last in the format before selecting the squad for the T20 World Cup next year, which means many players could potentially return to the side to face India in October-November.
Australia T20I squad vs New Zealand
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
New Zealand vs Australia T20I series Schedule:
Oct 1 – New Zealand vs Australia, 1st T20I, Mount Maunganui
Oct 3 – New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd T20I, Mount Maunganui
Oct 4 – New Zealand vs Australia, 3rd T20I, Mount Maunganui
