All-rounder Mitchell Marsh will replace fast bowler Brett Lee in Australia's squad for the one-day internationals in South Africa, the country's cricket board said on Thursday.
Australia's title bid will be tested by injuries and Asian conditions at the T20 World Cup.
Perth Scorchers young gun Mitchell Marsh will not play in the Champions League T20 tournament in India after being ruled out with yet another hamstring injury.
Steve Smith becomes the most expensive player in Pakistan Super League history after being signed by Sialkot Stallions for PKR 14 crore.
Pakistan steamrollered Australia by 111 runs in the final Twenty20 International to complete a 3-0 series sweep on Sunday, signalling their preparedness for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Australia's injury woes deepened on Wednesday when a hamstring problem forced all rounder Mitchell Marsh from the pitch for treatment.
Pakistan grabbed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia after skipper Salman Agha led by example to secure their comprehensive 90-run victory in the second match in Lahore on Saturday.
Saim Ayub produced a brilliant all-round display to power Pakistan to a 22-run victory against a largely second-string Australia in the first Twenty20 international between the teams in Lahore on Thursday.
A versatile and dynamic Australian unit, without key pacer Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the early stages of the tournament, will be going into the T20 World Cup with hopes of going deep in the tournament.
Having spent much of the home summer suffering 'pad rash' from waiting to bat, Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has put the pent-up energy to good use when thrown the ball.
Australia host the next T20 World Cup in 2028 but will be eyeing a bigger prize a few months before that when cricket is reintroduced to the Olympics in LA.
Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh expressed disappointment at the loss but praised India's all-round performance.
'Look, they (India) are a fantastic team, one which we have great respect for and I think five-match series are going to provide a lot of excitement for the fans that are coming to watch.'
Marsh's 60 or SKY's 67? Who would you vote for?
Former captain Ricky Ponting says the current Australian side lacked the aura that defined its past teams at ICC World Cups.
'...He'll provide us a good challenge...I think you want to be challenged against the best players in the world...'
I don't want to feel any pressure about not bowling a certain ball because it's first ball: Ellis
Australia began their T20 World Cup campaign with a thumping 67-run victory over Ireland, in Colombo, on Wednesday.
'With ETPL, we hope we can bring the magic of cricket euphoria to mainland Europe.'
The Aussies also named a 14-player group for the first two T20I matches against India, with Nathan Ellis and Josh Inglis earning recalls after they missed the recent T20I series with South Africa.
Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Glenn Maxwell and hTim David will also be rested from the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting on January 29.
Players including Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Alyssa Healy highlighted the controversy in a playful, teasing manner.
The defending champions won their opening two games against Afghanistan and West Indies.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green smashed blistering hundreds as Australia steamrollered South Africa by 276 runs in the third and final One-Day International.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins' chances of playing at next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka are "quite grey at the moment" as he battles a back stress issue that has affected his participation in the ongoing Ashes series against England.
Marsh was nonetheless retained in Australia's list of contracted players released on Tuesday for the 2025/26 season in an endorsement by selectors.
Pathum Nissanka's 52-ball hundred was the first century of this year's T20 World Cup and it could not have come at a better time for Sri Lanka.
Gujarat Titans messed up on a golden opportunity to seal a top two spot in the league table as Lucknow Super Giants earned a consolation 33-run victory.
CA said the national selection panel will be meeting soon to name a replacement of Marsh, who was picked in the 15-member side for the competition alongside other all-rounders Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
Australia have tried and tested five openers in the format since David Warner had his last dance after last year's Caribbean World Cup. Marsh remained tight-lipped about the appearance of the rest of the batting unit but confirmed there were discussions about Tim David's place.
On Friday, in the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Suryakumar Yadav lost yet another toss as Mitchell Marsh called correctly and opted to bowl first.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant was all praise for his team after in the 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians, saying his players held their nerve well in the Indian Premier League match in Lucknow on Friday.
Mitchell Marsh has allayed concerns about his injury, declaring himself "good to go" for the pink ball second Test against India, which begins in Adelaide on December 6.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
Formidable India have their tails up as they head to the gargantuan MCG for the second T20I against Australia here on Friday, thanks to the influx of young talent and the return to form of skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Six different teams have lifted the trophy over the years, with the West Indies, England and reigning champions India the only nations to have won it twice.
Suryakumar Yadav-led India ready for Aussie challenge as T20 World Cup preparation begins.
Perth Scorchers win sixth BBL title after trouncing Sydney Sixers
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