BBL hero in frame for first Aussie cap in Caribbean
Hobart's Big Bash League hero Mitch Owen is on the cusp of a first Australian cap after being selected in the Twenty20 International squad to tour the West Indies.
It comes as Test spinner Matt Kuhnemann earns selection in his first T20I squad and out-of-sorts Jake Fraser-McGurk is dropped from the set-up.
Owen's call-up continues a whirlwind start to the year for the 23-year-old, who powered the Hurricanes to their first BBL title with a century in the final against the Sydney Thunder.
He finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer and earned a maiden call-up to the IPL as Punjab Kings' injury replacement for Glenn Maxwell, though was dismissed for a second-ball duck in his only game.
Owen brings versatility to the 16-player squad, able to open the batting or slot into the middle order for the five matches played across Jamaica and St Kitt's after the three-Test series.
Swashbuckling young gun Fraser-McGurk joins veteran allrounder Marcus Stoinis and paceman Xavier Bartlett in missing the T20 squad for next month's matches.
Fraser-McGurk withdrew from the IPL when it went on hiatus after managing only one score in double figures from six innings with Delhi Capitals.
Chief selector George Bailey suggested all hope was not lost ahead for those who missed selection as Australia prepares for next year's T20 World Cup.
"There are a number of players outside the squad who can till force their way into the mix," he said.
"The connection, role development and combinations we will have as options are growing nicely as we build towards the World Cup."
Kuhnemann's inclusion continues a great calendar year for the tweaker, who was Australia's best bowler in the dominant Test series win over Sri Lanka.
He joins as back-up to Adam Zampa but is a chance for game-time if decks point to needing two front-line spinners.
Multi-format superstars Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Mitch Starc are unavailable for the T20Is, opting to return home after the Test matches.
But allrounders Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly have been included in the squad on return from injury.
AUSTRALIA'S T20 SQUAD FOR WEST INDIES TOUR:
Mitch Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
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