Five of Australia's top T20 players will not be playing the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan as Cricket Australia wants to keep them ready for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 next month.
The players who have been rested are Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis. David, though, has suffered a minor setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury. He is expected to get fit before the World Cup.
They have been replaced by Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw.
The three-match T20I series begins on Jan. 29. The second and the third match will be played on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
Australia will then travel to Sri Lanka to participate in the T20 World Cup. The island nation is co-hosting the tournament with India.
Australia's T20 squad for series vs Pakistan
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Australia's T20 World Cup squad:
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly, Cameroon Green, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Barlett, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa.
For the World Cup, Australia are in Group B along with Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
They play their first two matches in Colombo against Ireland and Zimbabwe on Feb. 11 and Feb. 13 respectively. The 2021 T20 World Cup champions will then travel to Pallekele where they will play Sri Lanka on Feb. 16 followed by the match against Oman on Feb. 20.
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