Six unlucky omissions from Australia's T20 squad

D'Arcy Short

The leading run-scorer in the past two editions of the KFC BBL and the fourth-highest in this year's T20 Blast in England, D'Arcy Short is a victim of Australia's wealth of options at the top of the order. With David Warner and Steve Smith back in the fold alongside Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell, Short has been squeezed out despite his brilliant recent form at domestic level and good start to the season with Western Australia. Selector Trevor Hohns says Short is "a standby player" and it's hard to imagine the left-hander won't get a chance to impress at some stage over the next 12 months.

Nathan Lyon

Having unseated Adam Zampa as Australia's leading one-day spinner during the 50-over World Cup, Nathan Lyon has been unable to do the same in the 20-over format. Zampa and allrounder Ashton Agar are Australia's spin options for the start of the summer, but the Aussies have Lyon to turn to should that duo be unable to take their chances. Lyon has long declared his desire to be Australia's leading spinner in all formats and he should have a decent stint of T20 cricket at the backend of the BBL early next year to prove himself in the format.

Chris Lynn

One of the most damaging batsmen in Australia when in full flight, Chris Lynn is seemingly a long way away from regaining his spot in Australia's T20 side. Having opted out of playing in the Marsh One-Day Cup for Queensland and having not played since the Canadian T20 league in August, it's seemingly a case of out of sight, out of mind for the big-hitting right-hander. "We haven't considered him at the moment," selector Trevor Hohns said of Lynn. "Chris isn't playing any cricket locally or within Australia. Sure, he's been travelling the world playing T20 cricket. If he performs well in the upcoming Big Bash, of course we can revisit that. I haven't spoken to Chris at all. To be honest, I don't even know if he's in the country." Lynn will instead line up for the PM's XI that will face Sri Lanka in Canberra three days before the Australia series begins.

Marcus Stoinis

One of the few certain selections in Australia's white-ball teams in recent years, particularly during their one-day slump in 2017 and 2018, Marcus Stoinis has now dropped out of contention from the T20 side. After a disappointing World Cup that was plagued by injury, Stoinis started the domestic season with a blistering century in the Marsh Cup, offering a reminder of what he's capable of. But it hasn't been enough to sway selectors, who have opted for the likes of Ashton Turner to fill the middle-order spots for the matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Having turned his back on red-ball cricket due to injury, Nathan Coulter-Nile has set his sights on being a white-ball specialist at international level. But after losing his spot in Australia's XI during their World Cup campaign this year, the right-armer has fallen down the pecking order in T20 cricket and will be looking to force his way back into the squad this summer. A change of scenery at BBL level – he will play for the Melbourne Stars this season – could help him remind selectors of what he's capable of.

Matthew Wade

The second-highest run-scorer in BBL|08, Matthew Wade is in a similar boat to his Hobart Hurricanes teammate, D'Arcy Short. With Warner and Smith back in the fold, there's barely any room at the top of the order so the in-form left-hander hasn't been able to find a spot. But after scoring two centuries in the Ashes during the winter, selectors are probably content for him to focus on long-form cricket this season.

Gillette T20 Internationals v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

First T20: October 27, Adelaide Oval, 2pm (Fox & Kayo)

Second T20: October 30, Gabba, 6.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

Third T20: November 1, MCG, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

Gillette T20 Internationals v Pakistan

First T20: November 3, SCG, 2.30pm (Fox & Kayo)

Second T20: November 5, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

Third T20: November 8, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)