Australia is considering the addition of a third spinner, alongside Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell, to their squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Despite not being included in the central contracts recently announced, spinner Ashton Agar remains a strong contender for the tournament, as stated by Australia Men’s selection chairman, George Bailey.
Bailey expressed that with conditions favoring spinners, there is potential for another spinner to be included in the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, aside from Zampa and Maxwell.
“The squad’s balance may benefit from having an extra spinner,” Bailey explained to reporters.
“Considering Glenn Maxwell as a primary white-ball spinner rather than a part-time option might be difficult for some to grasp. So, ‘Zamps‘ will certainly be included, and there could be room for one more.
“We will convene at the end of April to finalize the squad, and both Stoinis [Marcus Stoinis] and Ash Agar [Ashton Agar] will be strongly considered.”
Agar, Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is after Zampa, has taken 48 wickets at an average of 22.35.
However, Agar has not played a T20I since the 2022 T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka, where he replaced the Covid-infected Zampa.
He faces competition from leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, who has played seven T20Is for Australia since the last T20 World Cup, claiming 10 wickets, similar to Zampa’s eight matches.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Matthew Short is also a viable option for Australia, having been awarded a central contract for the upcoming season.
Chris Green, the off-spinner who debuted against India last year, is the only other spinner aside from Zampa, Maxwell, Short, and Sangha to have featured in T20Is for Australia since the last T20 World Cup.
If the selectors decide to expand their search beyond the current group, several players stood out in the recent Big Bash League season.
Cameron Boyce and Lloyd Pope had successful seasons in the BBL, claiming 14 and 13 wickets respectively, although Boyce last played a T20I in 2016, while Pope gained recognition during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2018.
Mitchell Swepson, who has appeared across formats until 2022, and Matthew Kuhnemann, who last played in the ICC World Test Championship series against India, are other options to consider.
