Australia Blend Youth and IPL Talent for Bangladesh White-Ball Tour

Bangla Press Desk:   Cricket Australia has announced its squads for the upcoming white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh, with several new faces earning maiden call-ups while a number of Indian Premier League (IPL) regulars are set to join the squad ahead of the Bangladesh leg.

Australia will play three One Day Internationals against Pakistan before arriving in Bangladesh for three ODIs in Dhaka and three T20 Internationals in Chattogram in June.The Bangladesh tour squads feature a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talents as Australia continue preparations for next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and future white-ball assignments.

South Australia all-rounder Liam Scott and young Victorian batter Ollie Peake have received their first ODI call-ups for the Pakistan series, while Sydney Sixers all-rounder Joel Davies earned his maiden Australia selection for the T20Is in Bangladesh after impressing in the Big Bash League.

Australia will also welcome back several familiar names for the Bangladesh leg, including explosive opener Travis Head, all-rounder Cooper Connolly, left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis and pacer Xavier Bartlett, all of whom are currently involved in the IPL.

Head’s inclusion is expected to add significant firepower to Australia’s batting in conditions that traditionally favour spin and slower bowling, while Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann and Tanveer Sangha provide a strong spin attack for the subcontinent challenge.

Mitchell Marsh will captain both the ODI and T20 sides during the tour.

Fast bowlers Spencer Johnson and Aaron Hardie also return to the T20 setup for the Bangladesh series, while Riley Meredith stays on after initially being selected for the Pakistan ODIs.

Chair of selectors George Bailey said the tours would help Australia broaden their player pool in Asian conditions.

"It’s always exciting to see new players get an opportunity to play international cricket and be a part of the national team," Bailey said.

"The blend of experienced players coupled with new or returning players will provide a nice mix for these subcontinent tours," he added.

"Continuing to provide opportunities for players to develop across a broad range of conditions and experiences is important and will continue to be a focus over the next 18 months to two years across the calendar and with future campaigns in mind."

Australia will play the three ODIs in Dhaka on 9, 11 and 14 June before travelling to Chattogram for the T20Is on 17, 19 and 21 June.

Australia ODI squad for Pakistan: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa

Australia ODI squad for Bangladesh: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa

Australia T20I squad for Bangladesh: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Adam Zampa

Pakistan series schedule:

First ODI: 30 May, Rawalpindi 

Second ODI: 2 June, Lahore

Third ODI: 4 June, Lahore

Bangladesh series schedule:

First ODI: 9 June, Dhaka

Second ODI: 11 June, Dhaka

Third ODI: 14 June, Dhaka

First T20I: 17 June, Chattogram

Second T20I: 19 June, Chattogram

Third T20I: 21 June, Chattogram