Australia Announce Squads For ODI And T20I Series Against South Africa
Big-hitting allrounder Mitchell Owen is poised to play one-day cricket for Australia after delivering an impressive international debut in the Twenty20 series sweep in the West Indies. The 23-year-old Owen was included in both white ball squads for next month's Top End series against South Africa, announced on Wednesday.
Owen, a star opener for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash domestic T20 competition, scored a half-century in his first game for Australia, contributing to a 5-0 series sweep in the Caribbean.
Over four games, he averaged 41.66 runs with a strike rate of 192.3, demonstrating his big-hitting prowess by hitting 12 sixes from 65 deliveries.
Cricket Australia's chief selector George Bailey commented, 'As we build toward the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive. Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights."
Travis Head and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood return to the ODI and T20 squads after being rested for the white ball section of the Caribbean tour following Australia's 3-0 test series win.
Bailey added, 'The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward."
Test captain Pat Cummins is being rested for the white ball series against South Africa to prepare for the Ashes series starting in November, leaving Mitch Marsh to lead Australia in both formats.
The T20 matches against the Proteas will be held in Darwin and Cairns on Aug. 10, 12, and 16, followed by ODIs in Cairns and Mackay in northern Queensland on Aug. 19, 22, and 24.
Australia T20I Squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
Australia ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
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