Australian Twenty20 rookie Spencer Johnson is being earmarked for a quick bowling strike function much like Mitchell Starc within the three-game sequence in opposition to South Africa.
The left-arm fast may make his worldwide debut in Durban in sport one beginning on Thursday (AEST).
The sequence heralds a brand new Australian period within the shortest format with Mitchell Marsh to captain after changing the retired Aaron Finch.
Australia’s largely inexperienced 14-man squad contains a tempo brigade together with Johnson, Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorf and Nathan Ellis.
Batsman Travis Head is backing his fellow South Australian Johnson to flourish in a new-ball function much like Starc.
“I am looking forward to him getting his opportunity … it (international selection) has probably come a little bit quicker than expected,” Head stated.
“He is someone who bowls a high speed and can swing the new ball.
“Hopefully he can be that guy for us at the top of the bowling innings, someone similar to Starcy for us – be able to be a match-winner with taking wickets.
“It will be nice to see him get international experience and have a crack at it.”
Head described the three-game T20 sequence as an vital step, off-field and on, for Australia’s white-ball cricketers with the 50-over World Cup beginning in India in early October.
The Australians will play 5 ODIs in opposition to the South Africans following the T20 sequence.
“Winning is important but you’re not going to win a World Cup in South Africa, you’re going to win it in India come the end of November,” Head stated.
“So really important that we connect well as a group, we look after each other, we have a really good time, we enjoy each other’s company, we train well and then we play well.
“It’s all about timing our run a little bit probably but no doubt we want to win games and play well.
“It’s a nice feeling in the camp when you can win games of cricket so that will be the aim.
“But at the end of the day making sure that the environment is in a good space so when we get to India we can really nail down what we want to achieve at the end of that World Cup.”
AUSTRALIA’S T20 SQUAD:
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
