SYDNEY: The versatile Cameron Green has been rewarded for his performance in India with a place in Australia’s Twenty20 squad for two World Cup warm-ups against West Indies in Queensland next week.
Fly-half David Warner, all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis and pacemaker Mitchell Starc all return to the squad after missing the trip to India, where Green stood out as Australia lost the series 2-1.
Green, who replaced rested Warner as skipper Aaron Finch’s opening partner in India and scored two half-centuries, was not included in Australia’s World Cup title defense squad.
Marsh, who had an ankle problem, and Stoinis, who had a secondary problem, are both returning from injury and head coach George Bailey says Australia are taking a ‘cautious approach’ to any issues approaching the tournament.
“The return of four key players gives us the opportunity to follow a conservative path with all minor issues and resolve them well in time for the World Cup,” he said in a press release.
World Cup squad members Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar are rested for the West Indies games but Bailey expected them to be back for a three-game warm-up series against England next week.
Australia will face the West Indies on the Gold Coast next Wednesday and at the Gabba in Brisbane two days later. Their World Cup campaign kicks off against New Zealand in Sydney on October 22.
Squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa