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Smith, Warner return to Aussie T20 side as World Cup looms
ADELAIDE, Australia, Oct 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Steve Smith and David Warner
return to the short format Sunday in the first of Australia’s three games
against a buoyant Sri Lanka, with both tipped for next year’s Twenty20 World
Cup at home.
The star batsmen were both banned for a year for their roles in a ball-
tampering scandal but have rejoined their country’s Test, one-day and now T20
sides.
Despite their success in other formats, Australia have never won a T20
World Cup, with a 2010 final appearance their best showing.
The competition gets underway Down Under next October and selectors are
banking on the same 14 picked to play Sri Lanka forming the bulk of their
side.
“We have looked to put a squad together that we think can take us through
to that tournament,” said national selector Trevor Hohns.
“The squad we have selected is quite role specific and we believe it gives
us the flexibility to thrive in all match conditions.”
Aaron Finch retains the captaincy, with Smith still barred from holding any
leadership role until the end of March for his part on trying to alter the
ball with sandpaper in South Africa last year.
Australia will be heavily relying on the widely acclaimed batsman after his
incredible exploits on his return to the game in the recent Ashes series
against England.
Warner flopped in the those five Tests but is Australia’s highest ever T20
run-scorer. He is set to open the innings with Finch, before Smith comes in
at first drop.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc spearhead the bowling attack, backed up by
Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson and Billy Stanlake.
– ‘It will bode well’ –
They will have their work cut out against a Sri Lankan side full of
confidence after a stunning three-match T20 series sweep against Pakistan
earlier this month.
Pakistan, who fired Sarafraz Ahmed as T20 and Test skipper in the
aftermath, head to Australia for three games immediately after Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankans sent a second string team for the one-day and T20 series
against their South Asian neighbours due to withdrawals over security
concerns.
But their squad for Australia, led by fast bowler Lasith Malinga, includes
a host of returning senior players, including Kusal Perera and Niroshan
Dikwella.
Two of the standout new faces from the Pakistan upset, Bhanuka Rajapaksa
and Oshada Fernando, have been retained and will get an opportunity to shine
in Australia.
Malinga said his team would also use the series to prepare for the World
Cup.
“If we perform well in those (Australian) conditions, then it will bode
well for our preparations for the World Cup,” he said ahead of their
departure from Colombo.
“And if you perform well on this tour, there will be a good chance of those
players making it to the World Cup as well.”
The opening match is at Adelaide Oval on Sunday with the second in Brisbane
three days later before the final game at Melbourne on November 1.
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins,
Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake,
Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (capt), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis,
Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka,
Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga,
Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana and Kasun
Rajitha.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1113 hrs