Experienced Australian squad for T20

Friday, 17 August 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SYDNEY: Australia Thursday named an experienced squad for the World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka, which selectors said had an explosive batting line-up and depth in the bowling department.

George Bailey

George Bailey again captains the side, which is hoping to go one better than their runner-up finish to England in the 2010 final in the West Indies.

The squad boasts plenty of experience with brothers Mike and Dave Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Hogg and Clint McKay.

It also features ex-captain Cameron White, who will have the opportunity to re-establish himself at international level after strong performances in the Indian Premier League and England’s domestic league.

National selector John Inverarity said the 15-man squad was the same one scheduled to play against Pakistan in the UAE ahead of the World Twenty20 from 18 September to 7 October.

“A real strength of the squad is its flexibility and versatility. It’s a well-balanced side that will provide the captain, George Bailey, with plenty of options in both the batting line-up and bowling possibilities,” he said.

“The seam bowling has depth with Clint McKay, Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitch Starc along with all-rounders Shane Watson and Dan Christian, and to a lesser extent Michael Hussey, who could be useful for an occasional over.

“Similarly there is depth in the spin bowling department with Brad Hogg, Xavier Doherty and also all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and David Hussey.”

But he said it was the batting line-up that would be a worry for opposition teams.

“There is a great deal of explosive strike power in the batting line-up that could see Matthew Wade at six, Cameron White at seven and either Dan Christian or Glenn Maxwell at eight,” he said.

“There is also a good blend of left and right-handers with David Warner, Michael Hussey and Wade likely to be in the top seven.”

Australia’s T20 campaign will start officially on September 19 in Colombo against Ireland, with the final scheduled for 7 October.

Australia squad: George Bailey (capt), Dan Christian, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson (vc), Cameron White