Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia upon his return to the Twenty20 squad announced on Wednesday for a five-match series in the West Indies. Explosive batsman Mitchell Owen has earned his first call-up.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is back after being rested for Australia’s last T20 series against Pakistan in November. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann joins the squad for the first time.

Marsh, who missed the Pakistan series due to a lower back injury, has recovered and is ready to play after missing the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Australia’s Test and 50-over captain Pat Cummins, along with Travis Head and Mitchell Starc, were excluded from the 16-man squad for the series next month. They will return to Australia following three Tests against the West Indies starting on June 25.

Young batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk was dropped from the squad. However, 23-year-old Owen received his maiden call-up after an impressive Big Bash League season where he was the highest run-scorer and scored a memorable 108 off 42 balls in the final.
 

Australia has won 12 of their past 14 matches as they build towards next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey commented on the busy T20 schedule, which includes the series against the West Indies, followed by three matches against South Africa and New Zealand, and five matches against India at home. He emphasised the aim to refine and build a squad suited for the World Cup on the subcontinent.

All-rounder Marsh was in excellent form during the Indian Premier League season, scoring 627 runs for Lucknow Super Giants, including a maiden century.

Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly also return from injury.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who recently announced his retirement from 50-over international cricket, retained his place in the T20 squad.

The first T20 against the West Indies is scheduled for July 20 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.