Finch likely to lead, open as big guns return for T20

STEVE Smith and David Warner will spearhead Australia’s preparations for a maiden T20 World Cup title as selectors seek rare continuity in the 20-over format.

Darcy Short, Chris Lynn and Marcus Stoinis were the notable omissions from the squad named yesterday for games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan starting this month.

Geelong’s Aaron Finch will captain the side and likely open alongside Warner, with Smith at first drop in his first T20 international since March 2016.

Keeper Alex Carey and Pat Cummins will share the vicecaptaincy while Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott and Ashton Turner will have middle-order roles to play.

Nathan Lyon could not jump past Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa for a spot while towering quick Billy Stanlake is also back in the fray alongside Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye and Kane Richardson.

Selector Trevor Hohns has welcomed those who missed the squad to present their case in the Big Bash League but ultimately hopes this unit can develop before next year’s showpiece event.

“One-day internationals and T20 cricket have been pretty spasmodic to be honest; there’s not been a lot played over a period of time but between now and World Cup there’s about 20, 21 (T20 internationals) so it gives them a chance to jell,” he said.

“We’ve got plenty of notice; 12 months to go, it’s the next big event, so we’ve got to focus on it. T20 cricket is not something we have played all that well but we’ve made some headway in that area.”

He said Short was unlucky, while Stoinis’s disappointing World Cup campaign led to his demotion and Lynn would not be considered until he played domestically.

“Sure, he’s been travelling the world playing T20 cricket and if he performs very well in the Big Bash, of course, we can revisit that,” Hohns said of Lynn.