Christian named in Australia’s T20 squad

SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Australia’s selectors yesterday named uncapped all-rounder Daniel Christian as the only newcomer in a 14-man squad to face West Indies in a pair of Twenty20 Internationals on Sunday and Tuesday.

Christian will become the second player of Aboriginal heritage – after Jason Gillespie — to play an international for Australia if he appears in any of those matches.

The fast medium pacer and hard-hitting 26-year-old batsman has impressed selectors in recent domestic matches and joins the Michael Clarke-led squad to face West Indies in Hobart (Sunday) and Sydney (Tuesday).

“We continue to look at various options and the balance of the team leading into the World Twenty20,” the panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

“We see Dan as an explosive all-rounder who could have a good impact for us in Twenty20 internationals,” Hilditch added.

Christian is expected to be included in the squad for two games in New Zealand after the assignments against West Indies.

AUSTRALIA TWENTY20 SQUAD – Michael Clarke (captain), Cameron White, Travis Birt, Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Dirk Nannes, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Shane Watson.