New faces in Australia T20 team for Sri Lanka series
BIG-HITTING Chris Lynn was named in Australia’s squad for their Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka yesterday despite injury worries, with four uncapped players also included.
Lynn was a dominant force for Brisbane Heat in the just-finished Big Bash League (BBL) but is still recovering from a neck injury and faces further fitness tests ahead of the opening clash in Melbourne on February 17.
Selector Trevor Hohns said: “Chris’s selection will depend on his fitness.
“He is due to see a specialist later this week and we will take into account that advice ahead of this series.”
With captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner rested ahead of the upcoming test tour of India, Michael Klinger, Billy Stanlake, Jy he Richardson and Ashton Turner are in line for their international debuts.
Aaron Finch leads the squad as they look to improve Australia’s Twenty20 ranking of sixth in the world.
“We have chosen a squad with a good blend of experience combined with several younger players in an effort to improve our performance and therefore our ICC T20 ranking,” Hohns said.
“The overall standards being set in the BBL are very high and many of these players are making a good impression, but consistency was key for the selectors on this occasion.”
The selection of top order batsman Klinger, 36, was a surprise but Hohns said he had earned a call-up.
“He has been a very good player in this form of the game for some time now,” he said.
“He has a history of strong performances in T20 competitions in the UK and in the BBL.”
Wicketkeeper Tim Paine returns, adding experience to the team.
Australia play Sri Lanka in Melbourne on February 17, in Geelong on February 19 and then Adelaide on February 22.