Rohrer, Coulter-Nile named in Australia squad for Windies T20I

Melbourne, Feb 8 (IANS): Ben Rohrer and Nathan Coulter-Nile could make their debuts for their nation as Cricket Australia’s (CA) National Selection Panel (NSP) Friday named a 12-player squad for the only T20I against West Indies at the Gabba next Wednesday.

File Photo: Nathan Coulter-Nile

Commenting on the squad, national selector John Inverarity said: “There are five new faces in the squad to play the West Indies in Brisbane on 13 February — Brad Haddin, Ben Rohrer, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Clint McKay and Josh Hazlewood, although Haddin and McKay have previously played for Australia in the T20 format.

“David Warner was not available due to his injured thumb while Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Xavier Doherty will be in India preparing for the Test Series there.

“Ben Rohrer had an outstanding season with the Melbourne Renegades in the middle order and Nathan Coulter-Nile has shown very good form in all three formats throughout the summer. Brad Haddin and Clint McKay are experienced campaigners and Josh Hazlewood is one of our very promising young pace bowlers who has recently regained full fitness,” said Inverarity in a press statement.

“With the Test squad being in India this fixture will provide some more players with invaluable international experience.”

The squad: George Bailey (Captain), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Laughlin, Clint McKay, Shaun Marsh, Ben Rohrer, Adam Voges.

Australia and the West Indies are currently playing a five-match one-day series which concludes in Melbourne Sunday.