Lee in Australia's preliminary squad for World Twenty20

Published>Fri, Feb 26 10 04:16 PM

Melbourne, Feb 26 (IANS) Paceman Brett Lee has been named in Australia's preliminary 30-man squad for the World Twenty20 championship beginning April 30 in the West Indies.

Lee, 33, announced his retirement from Test cricket Wednesday to extend his international career in limited-overs format.

He has not represented Australia in any format since October. The squad will be pruned to half as the event draws closer. Michael Clarke will lead the side.

Paceman Nathan Bracken, who has been plagued with injury, has been included in the squad along with veteran batsman Brad Hodge, who has not played for the country for almost two years.

George Bailey, Xavier Doherty, John Hastings and Ben Cutting are four uncapped players in the squad.

'The Australian Twenty20 team has played well in recent times with a solid win against reigning champions Pakistan and also against the West Indies at home this summer. The squad also has two matches against New Zealand over the coming days and the NSP (National Selection Panel) will be watching performances closely,' NSP chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

'We consider the squad to contain a good blend of youth and experience with several players who have excelled in Twenty20 cricket both internationally and domestically this year.

'From this 30 we hope to pick a final World Twenty20 squad that if it plays to its ability will be a very exciting, entertaining and extremely competitive team in the Caribbean,' he said.

The Australian team is in Group A alongside Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Australia squad: Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Travis Birt, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Daniel Christian, Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Moises Henriques, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Andrew McDonald, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Dirk Nannes, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Source: Web Search