Perth Scorchers sensation Cooper Connolly is set to tour England as part of a regenerated Australian Twenty20 squad.
The 20-year-old’s maiden international call-up continues his rapid rise, which has included a final-winning knock in just his fourth Big Bash League match and a crucial innings on debut in last summer’s Sheffield Shield final.
It comes just days after he committed his future to the Scorchers for the next three years.
Australia has named a fresh group for both the T20 and one-day international components of a tour of the United Kingdom in September.
The rapid-fire trip includes three ODIs against Scotland, three T20 internationals against England from September 12, followed by three more 50-over matches from September 19.
Both sides will be led by Allan Border medallist Mitch Marsh, with Pat Cummins rested.
Connolly is easily the most surprising inclusion in the wake of Australia’s exit from the World Cup at the Super Eight stage, but Brisbane Heat quicks Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson have both been included.
The left-hand allrounder averaged 22.62 from 10 knocks last season and a wicket each game he bowled in.
West Australians Cam Green, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis have also been named for the first series of the new World Cup cycle.
Green, Hardie and Inglis will stay on with Marsh for the one-day series.
Ashton Agar has been left out after playing two matches at last month’s World Cup, will Matthew Wade also missed the cut and David Warner has retired.
WA paceman Lance Morris played in Australia’s most recent ODI series — against West Indies at home earlier this year — and was pulled out of a planned stint playing Major League Cricket with this tour in mind, but has not been selected.
“We are particularly pleased to offer Cooper his first opportunity in the T20 squad having introduced the likes of Jake (Fraser-McGurk), Spencer, Xavier and Aaron in the past 12 months.
“They are exciting prospects to join the likes of Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis and Josh Inglis in the white ball setup.”
Matt Short will miss the T20 series for the birth of his first child, but will play the second set of 50-over matches.
Cricket Australia says Cummins’ break was “pre-planned” and part of a “long-term load management strategy”, while pace accomplices Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will face England in three ODIs.
Speaking last week, Connolly said he wanted to become a genuine three-format cricketer this season and declared playing Tests for Australia was his ultimate goal.
“I think has a kid you dream of wearing the Baggy Green and that is still the idea,” he said.
“It might take a few years but I’m just happy to be playing cricket and doing something that I love.”