Cooper Connolly has squeezed into Australia’s 15-man squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, while left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis and all-rounder Mitchell Owen have been left out.
National selectors confirmed the group on Tuesday, keeping faith with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David even though all three are still in various stages of recovery. Cummins will have another scan on his back at the end of January, Hazlewood is working back from hamstring and Achilles niggles, and David’s Big Bash campaign ended early with a hamstring strain.
Key selections – the short version
• Connolly rewarded for brisk BBL form: 170 runs at 166.66 and five wickets.
• No left-arm pace option after Dwarshuis misses out.
• Cummins, Hazlewood, David included but not yet fully fit.
• Xavier Bartlett takes the final fast-bowling slot.
• Only one specialist keeper – Josh Inglis – named.
Why Connolly?
The 22-year-old left-hander offers a second genuine spin option to partner Adam Zampa and could slide into the lower middle order if conditions demand. Andrew McDonald hinted last week that extra spin depth would be handy in the subcontinent, and Connolly’s ability to strike from ball one has helped the Perth Scorchers make another fast Big Bash start.
Balanced attack – but no left-arm angle
Dwarshuis, consistent over the past 18 months for Sydney Sixers and impressive on recent tours of the Caribbean and the Top End, is the notable absentee. With Mitchell Starc retired from T20 internationals and Spencer Johnson injured, Australia will travel without a left-arm quick. Bartlett joins Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis, providing pace, seam and death-over options.
Selector’s view
“The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success which enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present,” national selector George Bailey said.
He added: “Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup. This is a preliminary squad so should changes need to be made they will ahead of the support period.”
Owen falls away
Owen, outstanding on debut in the West Indies last year, struggled for runs after a bright start and has battled for rhythm in this season’s BBL. With Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green all able to bowl useful overs, the panel felt the balance tipped Connolly’s way.
Keeping gamble
There is no reserve wicketkeeper. Inglis keeps the gloves, with Maxwell again designated emergency cover if required. Alex Carey and Josh Philippe were discussed but overlooked, freeing an extra place for a bowling all-rounder.
Fitness clouds linger
Cummins and Hazlewood have not played a T20 international since last winter. Both are on individual return-to-play plans and will join the World Cup squad only after passing final medical checks. Australia can adjust the squad without penalty until the official support period begins in early February, so Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott remain on standby.
The bigger picture
Australia open their campaign on 4 February. Conditions are expected to vary sharply between Sri Lankan venues and Indian grounds later in the tournament, so versatility – batting depth, multiple spin options, out-and-out pace – shapes this 15.
Provisional Australia squad
Matthew Wade (capt), Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Tim David, Cooper Connolly, Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett.
Stand-by bowlers: Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis.
