Australia name strong 15-member squad for New Zealand T20Is, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood return

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have returned as Australia named a power-packed 15-member squad for their upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

Earlier, after the second ODI against West Indies, Hazlewood said that Australia were going to pick a full-strength team bearing in mind the strength of the Black Caps.

Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc have returned to the T20 setup after last playing in the format back in the 2022 T20 World Cup on home soil.

Mitchell Marsh has been named as captain for the series despite Cummins being in the squad. David Warner, who has retired from Tests and ODIs, would also return from his ILT20 2024 stint to resume national duty.

The series against the Kiwis will also be Australia’s last assignment in the format before the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States of America (USA).

George Bailey, the chairman of selectors, said that Australia have set their eyes set on the mega event.

“Travis, Pat, Mitchell and Steve rejoin the squad following the series against the West Indies with Jason Behrendorff and Sean Abbott amongst the standby players from those playing the upcoming T20s,” Bailey said.

“The next six games will provide us the opportunity to start shaping what we think our World Cup squad will look like and potential roles within that.

“We will also fully utilise the opportunity to monitor and watch the performances of the Australian players in the IPL immediately preceding the World Cup,” Bailey added.

The T20I series between Australia and New Zealand will take place from February 21 to February 25. Wellington and Auckland will host the contests.

Australia squad for New Zealand T20Is
Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa