In a major announcement, Cricket Australia revealed the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup on Thursday. Mitchell Marsh has been named captain, while Pat Cummins and Tim David have made the cut despite facing recent injury challenges. However, the explosive batter Mitchell Owen has been left out of the lineup, making way for a surprising inclusion: spin bowling allrounder Cooper Connolly. 

Pat Cummins, who serves as Australia's Test captain, recently missed the first two Ashes Tests due to a nagging back injury. Although he returned for the third Test in Adelaide, he was sidelined for the following matches as Cricket Australia opted to manage his workload in preparation for the T20 World Cup. 

Even with concerns about his fitness, the seasoned fast bowler has secured a spot in the Australian squad for the T20 World Cup. Similarly, Tim David, who is recovering from a grade two hamstring injury, has also been named in the World Cup lineup. That said, if David isn't cleared to play, Australia has the option to announce a replacement before January 31. 

Pace bowling allrounder Mitchell Owen has unfortunately missed out on a spot in the T20 World Cup squad, as Australia has opted for Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis to fill that role instead. Owen struggled recently, scoring just 38 runs in his last five T20I innings, and his performance in the Big Bash League didn’t help his case either. It’s been a tough stretch for him in the shortest format of the game. 

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With all their matches set to take place in Sri Lanka, Australia is focusing on spin bowling options for the T20 World Cup. Adam Zampa and Matthew Kuhnemann have been chosen as the main spinners, while the in-form Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell, and Matthew Short will step in as Australia’s spin bowling allrounders. 

Even with Mitchell Starc's retirement, Australia has decided not to include a left-arm fast bowler in their T20 World Cup lineup. Instead, Xavier Bartlett, who has taken seven wickets in five BBL matches, will lead the pace attack alongside Cummins, Nathan Ellis, and Josh Hazlewood. 

The batting lineup will largely hinge on the explosive opening partnership of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, with Green, Inglis, Maxwell, and David playing crucial supporting roles.

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa