Aussies opt to bowl in T20, Christian in
Josh Hazlewood #JoshHazlewood
Australia have opted to bowl in their Twenty20 series opener against the West Indies in St Lucia, where Dan Christian’s return is one of five changes to the incumbent side.
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard, who led his team in a recent T20 series against South Africa, is out because of what stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran described as “a bit of a niggle”.
Aaron Finch confirmed 38-year-old Christian’s elevation, after almost four years in international exile, after winning the toss.
Moises Henriques, Ben McDermott, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been included in the XI that lost a T20 series decider New Zealand in March – Australia’s most recent match in any format.
“It’s a great chance for those guys,” Finch said.
Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson were enforced omissions after opting to sit out the current tour, while express paceman Riley Meredith has been demoted.
The five-match T20 series is serving as a selection trial for this year’s T20 World Cup, which starts in October.
Australia XI: Aaron Finch (capt), Matthew Wade, Mitch Marsh, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Ben McDermott, Dan Christian, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
West Indies XI: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (capt), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, Obed McCoy, Fidel Edwards.