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Australia is revamping their T20 squad for the ongoing series in India, introducing several new faces for the last three games of the five-match series. Post their World Cup triumph, key players including Steve Smith and Adam Zampa have already left for home, missing the third match in Guwahati, located in India's north-eastern region. Additionally, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, and Sean Abbott are set to return home following the third match.
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The Australian team has called in reinforcements with wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe and power-hitter Ben McDermott already joining the squad and being available for the third T20. Alongside them, New South Wales players Ben Dwarshuis, a fast bowler, and spinner Chris Green are scheduled to join the team in Raipur before the fourth match. Green, in particular, is poised for his much-awaited international debut, potentially in Raipur or in the final match of the series in Bengaluru.
Having recently been appointed as the full-time captain of Sydney Thunder, after serving as the interim captain last season, Green has gained extensive experience in the global T20 circuit. He has played in 190 T20 matches across various leagues, including the IPL, Pakistan, the Caribbean, the UK, and the Big Bash League. Besides his T20 prowess, Green has also made a significant impact for NSW Blues in domestic one-day and first-class cricket.
The selection of Marnus Labuschagne in Queensland's Sheffield Shield squad for their match against Western Australia created an opportunity for McDermott to join the Australian squad in India. Western Australia, in turn, gave Joel Curtis his first-class debut in place of Philippe, whose red-ball form has seen a dip this season.
With these changes, Travis Head remains the only member from Australia's World Cup-winning squad in India, alongside Tanveer Sangha, who was part of the team as a reserve. Head, notable for his century and player-of-the-match performance in the World Cup final, has not yet played in the T20 series against India.
These squad adjustments reflect Australia's strategy to explore and assess various player options and combinations in preparation for future tournaments, while also managing player workload and form. The series in India provides a platform for new and existing players to showcase their skills and make a case for their inclusion in Australia's T20 setup.
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