Australia has decided to exclude their entire first-choice Test XI from the upcoming Twenty20 series against Pakistan in order to focus on preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Following a three-match ODI series against Pakistan beginning on November 4, Australia will then face the same opponents in the shortest format of international cricket. However, the third and final T20 match is scheduled in Hobart on November 18, just four days before the first Test against India at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Josh Inglis, who has yet to make his Test debut, is the only player in the T20 squad announced on Monday who could potentially be selected to face India. The West Australian is a candidate to fill the vacant red-ball opener’s position, although Usman Khawaja’s new opening partner is more likely to be teenage sensation Sam Konstas or Nathan McSweeney. Fast bowlers Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson have been reinstated into the white-ball squad after recovering from injuries.

Australia named the squad without finalizing a captain for the three games. A potential leader to replace Mitch Marsh, Australia’s Test No 6, could be Inglis, Adam Zampa, or even the versatile Glenn Maxwell, who captains the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. None of the 13-man squad members have previously captained Australia in any format.

“This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket, so we look forward to them continuing to enhance their international experience throughout this series,” said chairman of selectors George Bailey. “We are excited by the mix of experience combined with those closer to the start of their international journeys. It is particularly encouraging to have Xavier, Spencer, and Nathan back in the national set-up.”

“It’s another opportunity for them to continue to show their ability on the international stage, as they have done in the past.”

Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

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