Mitchell Marsh has been selected as Australia’s T20 captain for the tour to South Africa, putting him in line for the permanent position ahead of next year’s World Cup.
South Australia left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson has earned his first international call-up, joining all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Matt Short for the three-match series, which begins in late August and will be Australia’s first T20 games since the World Cup, where the hosts were eliminated in the group stage last year.
Mitchell Marsh has been selected as Australia’s T20 captain for the tour to South Africa, putting him in line for the permanent position ahead of next year’s World Cup.
South Australia left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson has earned his first international call-up, joining all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Matt Short for the three-match series, which begins in late August and will be Australia’s first T20 games since the World Cup, where the hosts were eliminated in the group stage last year.
Marsh takes over for Aaron Finch, who retired from international cricket earlier this year.
Marsh fills the vacancy left by Aaron Finch’s retirement from international cricket earlier this year; however, his appointment is currently limited to three games in South Africa. After this year’s ODI World Cup, where Australia will be led by Pat Cummins, the selectors will make a decision on the long-term captain, with a decent chance of uniting the white-ball responsibilities under one person, placing Marsh in a strong position to lead in all forms.
“Mitch has long been a senior player within the white-ball structure, and this is an opportunity for him to add to his leadership skills at the international level,” said national selector George Bailey. “We are looking forward to him taking that step in South Africa.”
Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, and David Warner have been rested for the T20Is after the Ashes and will return for the ODIs. Steven Smith, on the other hand, has been included, and Bailey has confirmed that he will start against South Africa following his outstanding BBL efforts with the Sydney Sixers last season. Ashton Agar has been ruled out of the T20Is while recovering from a calf issue, but he will be eligible for the one-dayers.
The trio of new faces in the T20I squad have all had successful seasons in the BBL. Johnson had a breakout season for the Brisbane Heat, where he stood out as a finisher, and then carried that success into the Sheffield Shield with South Australia.
“Aaron, Spencer, and Matt have all been outstanding in the BBL and have been identified as potential national players of the future,” Bailey added. “This tour provides an excellent opportunity for all three to demonstrate those skills in a national team setting.”
“Aaron has impressed in recent appearances for Australia A and the Scorchers, while Matt has thrived with increased responsibility at the top of the order for the Strikers.”
“In his first season with the Heat, Spencer’s left-arm pace and bounce were extremely effective.” This trip will be a tremendous experience for all three, as well as their first opportunity to play for their country.”
There is no place for Matthew Wade or Kane Richardson among those who played in last year’s T20 World Cup, but Bailey said he expected Wade to play in the series against India that follows the ODI World Cup, while the South Africa tour was regarded as an opportunity to get some games in for Josh Inglis.
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa are the Australia T20 team vs. South Africa.1
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