Cricket is officially back in Australia as selectors have announced a 14-member T20I squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa, scheduled from 10 to 16 August 2025.
🔹 Key Highlights:
-
Mitchell Marsh continues as captain, leading the side after successfully guiding the team in the recent West Indies series.
-
Big returns:
-
Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood are back in the squad after recovering from minor injuries and missing the Caribbean tour.
-
-
Rising star rewarded:
-
23-year-old Mitchell Owen, who impressed everyone with his all-round performances in the West Indies, has been included again. He has also earned his first-ever ODI call-up.
-
-
Tough exclusions:
-
Young guns Jake Fraser‑McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, Tanveer Sangha and Xavier Bartlett (T20I) have been left out this time. Selectors hinted this was to balance the squad with experienced players.
-
🔹 Official T20I Squad vs South Africa:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
🔹 Why This Series is Important:
-
It’s Australia’s first home T20I series of the season and an early preparation step for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
-
The return of Head and Hazlewood strengthens both batting and bowling departments.
-
Owen’s inclusion shows selectors are backing new talent, giving the squad a good mix of youth and experience.
The series will be played in Darwin, Cairns, and Mackay, with the first T20I on 10 August.