Australia has named its T20I squad for the home bilateral series against Pakistan next month and is missing a few red-ball players as they prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are the notable absentees in the T20I squad as they prepare for the big summer home against India, one that could potentially define their chances of finishing the World Test Championship.

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Travis Head and regular T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh are also missing and are expected to be a key part of India’s Tests. Curiously, no captain has been named in Marsh’s place.

While the pace trio focus on red-ball cricket, Australia are boosted by the return of Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis from injury. Sean Abbott and Aaron Hardie are the team’s other pace options along with medium pacer Marcus Stoinis. Adam Zampa is the only player on the team.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey said: “This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket so we hope they continue to enhance their international experience throughout this series. We are excited about the combination of experiences combined with those closer to the start of your international travels.

“It is particularly encouraging to have Xavier, Spencer and Nathan back in the national set-up. “It is another opportunity for them to continue demonstrating their ability on the international stage, as they have done in the past.”

Australian T20I team

Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

The batting group has been reinforced with some stars who touch world leagues, including the IPL. The likes of Tim David, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis, Matthew Short and Stoinis add power to the lineup.

Inexperienced rookie Cooper Connolly is a notable inclusion, while Aaron Hardie gets another chance to boost his overall stock.

The T20I series will be played a week before the India Tests, forcing the absence of many Test stars who are regulars in T20Is. The last T20I in Hobart will be on November 18, exactly four days before India’s first Test in Perth.

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