Australia T20 World Cup squad: No Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith in Mitchell Marsh-led squad

In an expected move, Australia named a provisional 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup that will be led by Mitchell Marsh.

The all-rounder was named Australia's permanent T20 captain on Wednesday ahead of the squad reveal.

In a surprise turn of events, young sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk was omitted from the 15-player list alongwith veteran Steve Smith.

Fraser-McGurk has scored three blistering half-centuries for the Delhi Capitals in 2024 so far at a strike-rate of 233.33 and this peformance was expected to be his ticket to the USA.

Instead, for the top-order, selectors went ahead with the trusted Travis Head, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh while Australia's big three Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc would be accompanied by a fourth pace option in the form of Nathan Ellis.

Apart from Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green was roped in as a pace all-rounder option. Glenn Maxwell, Stoinis, Tim David and Wade stabilise the middle-order.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia named Josh Inglis as the back-up keeper behind regular Matthew Wade.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Adam Zampa