The big-hitting Chris Lynn has made a return to Australia's T20I squad for the series against Pakistan in the UAE. Lynn, who's shoulder problems have been well documented, last turned out for Australia in February this year, before yet another shoulder dislocation during the T20I tri-series against England and New Zealand left him on the sidelines once again.
As was the case with the Test team, Australia have named two vice-captains for the T20Is too; wicketkeeper Alex Carey and allrounder Mitchell Marsh - who's also one of the Test deputies - will back up captain Aaron Finch in the three T20Is against Pakistan. Finch and Carey had formed the leadership group in Australia's previous T20I assignment, the tri-series in Zimbabwe in July.
The captain and vice-captains were involved in a selection process similar to the one used to select the heads of the Test team, coach Justin Langer said. Marsh and Josh Hazlewood, the Test vice-captains, had been first nominated by their Australian team-mates, before making leadership presentations to a seven-person panel comprising Langer, selector Greg Chappell, board director Mark Taylor, chairman David Peever, selection committee chairman Trevor Hohns, team psychologist Michael Lloyd and team performance manager Pat Howard.
"They are outstanding young men and extremely talented cricketers. To be endorsed by their peers, and to then back it up with powerful presentations, just showcased their leadership qualities and vision for Australian cricket," Langer said. "Aaron has already captained Australia in the recent T20Is we played in Zimbabwe, and I've been extremely impressed with his impact on the Test squad over here in the UAE. We know he's an exceptional player, and he's arguably the most in form T20 player in the world at the moment.
"As we outlined when he was selected as joint Test vice-captain last week, Mitch has experience captaining Australia A and WA [Western Australia], and he's an extremely popular member of the team. He's a very talented and humble young man who leads through his actions and shows genuine care for his team-mates.
"Alex has great leadership qualities, and again we were really impressed with the way he presented to the interview panel. He already knows the role having held the vice-captaincy in the recent tour of Zimbabwe, and as a wicketkeeper he has eyes behind the stumps which we believe is extremely beneficial to the team. He's an elite professional who also backs up his words through his actions."
Offspinner Nathan Lyon also features in the 14-man squad. Lyon had played just the one T20I, back in January 2016.
Seamer Nathan Coulter-Nile is another man making a comeback to the national squad after a long break. He has not played a single game for Australia in 2018 so far, due to back trouble. Speaking of Coulter-Nile's and Lynn's inclusions, Langer said: "Chris Lynn has responded well from his shoulder injury and was professional during his rehabilitation. He's had an outstanding campaign in the JLT Cup [domestic one-dayers] to date and reminded us how explosive and powerful a cricketer he can be.
"Likewise, Nathan Coulter-Nile has done a terrific job to come back from injury. He's shown tremendous resilience and fight to get back into the form required to be selected in the Australian T20I side. He's an excellent white ball bowler and provides us with another mature performer in the team."
The squad also includes uncapped batsman Ben McDermott, who comes in following scores of 56, 117, 28, 102* and 76 in the JLT One-Day Cup. "Ben McDermott is another young player who has been rewarded for taking his game to the next level," Langer said. "He's put in the hard work to improve his strength and fitness, and there's no doubt it's been a key factor behind his impressive form in the JLT Cup. He's performed well in the BBL, and he's an outstanding young bloke."
The three T20Is will follow the two Tests against Pakistan, and will be played in Abu Dhabi and Dubai between October 24 and 28.
Squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Mitchell Marsh (vice-capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt, wk), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.