Australia rest Test regular for Pakistan T20Is ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Cricket Australia have rested their first-choice Test XI for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan to prepare for the blockbuster battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In Short

• Australia name a new 13-player T20 squad for series against Pakistan
• Test regulars were rested to prepare for the blockbuster series vs India
• Australia will see a new leader in charge for the three T20 matches

Australia have announced a 13-player squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, set to begin on November 14 in Brisbane. With Test regulars preparing for their five-match series against India, a fresh lineup of T20 specialists and white-ball regulars will represent Australia, including fast bowlers Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson, who return from injury.

The squad notably lacks players with prior experience captaining Australia, leaving selectors to appoint a new captain for the series. Regular white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh and Test skipper Pat Cummins will be in Perth for Test preparations, meaning Australia will see a new leader in charge for the three T20 matches. This unique setup reflects the split focus on the T20 series against Pakistan and the critical Test series against India, commencing November 22 in Perth.

White-ball mainstays Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis bolster the squad. Inglis, the only player in the T20 squad with a remote chance of selection for the India Tests, is under consideration for Australia's red-ball opener role. However, rising stars like Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney are frontrunners for that position.

The selection of the new T20 captain has spurred speculation, with Inglis, Maxwell, and Zampa emerging as potential candidates. Maxwell, who captains the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, brings considerable leadership experience, while Zampa's international experience and Inglis's recent consistency make them strong contenders as well.

George Bailey, Chair of Selectors, expressed enthusiasm for the squad's potential. "This group of players has consistently shown their talent in T20 cricket, and we're excited to see them continue to gain international experience. It's particularly encouraging to have Xavier, Spencer, and Nathan return to the national setup," Bailey stated. "This series offers them another chance to showcase their abilities on the international stage."

The series opens on November 14 at the Gabba in Brisbane, followed by games in Canberra and Hobart.

AUSTRALIA T20I SQUAD: Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa