Ben Dunk gets maiden national call-up; named as wicket-keeper in Australian T20 squad to face South Africa

Ben Dunk

Melbourne, Oct 20 (IANS) Ben Dunk was named as wicket-keeper batsman while Nathan Reardon and Cameron White also earned call-ups as Australia on Monday announced their Twenty20 squad for the three-match cricket series against South Africa starting November 5 at the Adelaide Oval.

Aaron Finch was named as the captain of the 14-man squad.

"We've seen some good form in Matador One-Day Cup recently from players such as Cameron White, Nathan Reardon, Ben Dunk and Ben Cutting and they've been rewarded for those good performances," Rod Marsh, national selector, CA, said in a statement.

He added that team has a nice blend of youth and experience and provides Finch a fantastic opportunity to build his team.

"The squad itself includes a good blend of youth and experience, providing new captain Finch with multiple options with both bat and ball. While the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 seems a long time away, the nature of short T20 series means every match between now and then is a great opportunity for players to show what they're capable of against high quality opposition," he said.

"This series of three matches provides Finch the opportunity to really work with the T20 squad after commencing his tenure as captain with a win against Pakistan Oct 5."

Marsh welcomed the return of experienced T20 campaigner Shane Watson from injury and said they may "add a player to this squad following the naming of the team for the second Test against Pakistan".

The squad will be managed by Trevor Bayliss in the absence of regular coach Darren Lehmann and will assemble in Adelaide Nov 1.

The 14-player Australian T20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Cameron Boyce, Patrick Cummins, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk (wicketkeeper), James Faulkner, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Reardon, Kane Richardson, Shane Watson, Cameron White, James Faulkner.