Brisbane, Australia ( Associated Press) – Test captain Pat Cummins will miss Australia’s limited-overs series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand starting next month as part of preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup.
Australia are scheduled to play Zimbabwe in three One Day Internationals in Townsville on 28 August, 30 August and 3 September, before a three-match series against New Zealand in Cairns on 6, 8 and 11 September.
Fast bowler Sean Abbott and spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa have been recalled to the Aaron Finch-led side.
Australia’s extended tour of Sri Lanka ended last week when the teams split T20 and ODI series before the two-match Test series ended 1-1.
Announcing the squad for the so-called Top End series on Monday, Cricket Australia said pacer Cummins is being “managed through a period of rehabilitation and physical preparation for the coming summer.”
Australia selector George Bailey said: “This series against New Zealand, the world’s No. 1 ODI team and Zimbabwe will be a good competition, giving the opportunity to play some great cricket in the home summer.”
Middle-order batsman Travis Head will miss the series with his partner Jess for the birth of their first child.
Australia will host the Twenty20 World Cup, the first round of which begins on 16 October. Defending champions Australia’s tournament opener is against New Zealand on 22 October.
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Squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
