Nathan Ellis in the starting XI with Pat Cummins left out to face Oman in Australia’s group stage opening fixture
Pat Cummins has been left out for Australia’s first match of the T20 World Cup with Nathan Ellis picked in a three-man pace attack to face Oman in Barbados.
Ashton Agar has also missed selection as Oman captain Aqib Ilyas elected to field first on a steamy evening at Kensington Oval, where a new wicket has been prepared after the venue’s first two Cup games were played on the same surface.
Australia XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitch Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Oman XI: Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (wk), Aqib Ilyas (c), Zeeshan Maqsood, Khalid Kail, Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mehran Khan, Shakeel Ahmad, Kaleemullah, Bilal Khan
Cummins’ absence after leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the Indian Premier League final is a surprise with the Aussies insisting there are no fitness concerns over the star fast bowler.
The 31-year-old only arrived in the Caribbean late on Friday night after a series of flight delays extended his journey from Sydney, fresh off having played 16 IPL games in the space of two months.
But Cummins appears certain to return to the side for the England match on Saturday.
Ellis was a standout performer during last week’s two warm-up games in Trinidad and now has a chance to prove his credentials in his World Cup debut.
Agar might have expected to play given the Barbados surface generally favours spin, but the use of a fresh pitch and the presence of allrounder Glenn Maxwell alongside frontliner Adam Zampa gives Marsh ample spin coverage.
More to come.
2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Australia’s squad: Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Australia’s Group B fixtures
June 6: v Oman, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 10.30am AEST
June 9: v England, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 3am AEST
June 12: v Namibia, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, 10.30am AEST
June 16: v Scotland, Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia, 10.30am AEST
Super Eights, finals to follow if Australia qualify
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