Mitch Marsh has been named Australia’s men’s Twenty20 captain, with the all-rounder set to lead a team to the World Cup that does not include Steve Smith or Jake Fraser-McGurk.
The selectors officially confirmed Marsh’s appointment on Wednesday, replacing Aaron Finch after several players juggled the role over the past 18 months.
After captaining Australia on recent tours, Marsh’s first full-time appointment will be at next month’s World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States.
He will go there without Smith and Fraser-McGurk, who are not named in Australia’s provisional 15-man squad.
Smith’s dismissal marks the first time in more than a decade that he has not been picked for an in-form Australian team.
The last time he missed a World Cup in any format was in 2012.
The 34-year-old had hoped to open this year’s tournament, but had always had a good chance given the country’s depth at that position.
Fraser-McGurk’s absence is more controversial, given his impressive form in the Indian Premier League.
The opener’s strike rate of 233.33 is the best of any player in the tournament with 100 or more runs, after bursting onto the scene with Delhi.
But that hasn’t been enough to break the Australian team, as Travis Head and David Warner are the most likely to start the World Cup.
Marsh is expected to take up the number three spot in Australia’s best XI, with Glenn Maxwell at number four.
There was an option to place Fraser-McGurk further down the order as a finisher, but Tim David kept his place in the team.
Marcus Stoinis is also included as an all-rounder who can act as a finisher, while Australia have selected two wicketkeepers in Matt Wade and Josh Inglis.
Ashton Agar has been named alongside Adam Zampa as the second spinner on wickets expected to spin, while Nathan Ellis is the fourth quick behind the regular three.
“The batting options available allow for a tailored approach for each venue and opponent,” said chief selector George Bailey.
“Steve Smith, Matt Short, Jason Behrendorff, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett were part of lengthy conversations, along with several others including Jake Fraser-McGurk, who is yet to play T20 International cricket but continues to impress and is developing rapidly.”
Officials have until May 25 to modify the equipment without ICC approval.
Victory in the next tournament would make Australia world champions in all men’s and women’s formats.
AUSTRALIA’S PROVISIONAL 15-MEN SQUAD FOR T20 WORLD CUP
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, Matt Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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AAP