Australia’s New T20I Squad: Cooper Connolly Joins for Matches Against Scotland and England
Australia has announced their T20I squad for the upcoming series against Scotland and England. Perth Scorchers all-rounder Cooper Connolly has earned his first T20I call-up for the Baggy Greens.
New Era for Australia
The post-David Warner era has begun, and a new opening pair will take the field for the white-ball series against Scotland and England. The Baggy Greens will play a three-match T20I series against Scotland in September, followed by three T20Is and five ODIs against England later in the month.
Match Schedule
| Opponent | Match Type | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | T20I | September 4, 6, 7 |
| England | T20I | Starting September 11 |
In Warner’s place, Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included in the T20I squads for both series and in the ODI squad against England. Fraser-McGurk will look to establish himself as a long-term opening alternative for Australia.
Key Players and Leadership
Mitchell Marsh will lead the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is currently involved in the Major League Cricket with the San Francisco Unicorns. The experienced duo of Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will miss the T20I series but will join the squad for the ODI series against England.
Matthew Short, who travelled with Australia’s T20 World Cup squad as a reserve player, will miss out on the T20I tour due to the birth of his first child.
Selectors’ Statement
National selector George Bailey said, “This tour gives us a great opportunity to bring in some new players in the absence of David Warner and Matthew Wade, as well as giving some senior players time to prepare for the home summer and a busy first half of next year. We are particularly pleased to offer Cooper his first opportunity in the T20 squad.”
Looking Ahead
With the ICC Champions Trophy almost seven months away, Australia will try to find the right balance within the ODI team. Bailey added, “With the Champions Trophy on our doorstep early next year, the white-ball series against Pakistan leading into the summer and a huge home Test series against India, there has been a lot of planning invested into these next six months.”
Australia T20I Squad for Scotland and England
- Mitchell Marsh (capt)
- Xavier Bartlett
- Cooper Connolly
- Tim David
- Nathan Ellis
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Cameron Green
- Aaron Hardie
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Spencer Johnson
- Marcus Stoinis
- Adam Zampa
Australia ODI Squad for England
- Mitchell Marsh (capt)
- Sean Abbott
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Cameron Green
- Nathan Ellis
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Aaron Hardie
- Josh Hazlewood
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Travis Head
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Glenn Maxwell
- Matthew Short
- Steven Smith
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Zampa