Australia names Marsh-led 16-member squad for West Indies T20I series

Cricket Australia has named a 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against the West Indies, scheduled to start in July across Jamaica and St Kitts, as part of preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Mitchell Marsh returns to captain the side following an impressive IPL season, while uncapped players Mitchell Owen and Matt Kuhnemann have earned maiden call-ups after standout domestic performances. Owen, who was the leading run-scorer in the Big Bash League and had a strong IPL showing, is expected to open the batting, capitalizing on the absence of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Marcus Stoinis, both dropped due to underwhelming recent form. Veteran players Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Mitchell Starc have been rested post the concurrent Test series, while Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green, and Cooper Connolly return from injury or rest. Chief selector George Bailey emphasized the importance of this series and upcoming fixtures in refining the squad for the World Cup, highlighting the opportunity for emerging players to stake their claim. The squad blends experienced campaigners like Glenn Maxwell and Tim David with promising talent, aiming to build depth and versatility ahead of the global tournament.