James Muirhead Shock in Australia's T20 Squad

Sydney: A 20-year-old legspinner with just four Twenty20 appearances and half as many first-class matches under his belt is the surprise inclusion in Australia’s 14-man squad for the upcoming three-match KFC T20 series against England.

James Muirhead, currently in the Melbourne Stars and a member of Victoria’s Bupa Sheffield Shield team, was named in the squad and created expectation that he might be in the frame for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup scheduled for Bangladesh.

The squad, which will travel to South Africa for three T20 matches that follow the Test series there, also includes fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood who are returning from injury.

In naming the squad today, chairman of selectors John Inverarity pointed out that some of the players needed for the upcoming Test series in South Africa were not considered for the KFC T20 series.

But he added those in the 14-man squad, to be captained by dumped Test batsman George Bailey, could come under consideration for the next T20 World Cup, with that squad to be finalised by mid-February.

Players eventually chosen in the Australia squad for the ICC World Twenty20 will also play the three T20 fixtures against South Africa following the Tests Series in that country.

The Australian Twenty20 squad to take on England: George Bailey (Capt.), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Dan Christian, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Josh Hazelwood, Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell, James Murihead, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade (wk), Cameron White.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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