Maxwell Returns: Australia Adjusts Strategy for T20s with Ashes in Sight

Australia has made changes to its Twenty20 squad for the upcoming five-match series against India. Glenn Maxwell and Ben Dwarshuis have been recalled, allowing Test hopefuls to participate in the Sheffield Shield in preparation for the Ashes.

Josh Hazlewood will not play in the last three matches, and Sean Abbott will sit out the final two as he aims for a Test opportunity in Pat Cummins’ expected absence.

Maxwell returns from a wrist injury for the series’ last three games, while Dwarshuis, recovering from a calf injury, will be available for the last two. Uncapped pacer Mahli Beardman joins for the concluding matches. Josh Philippe stays on as cover for Josh Inglis, who is still recovering from a calf strain.

Marnus Labuschagne has been released from the ODI squad to focus on red-ball cricket, with Jack Edwards and Matt Kuhnemann stepping in for the final ODI in Sydney. The Ashes series kicks off in Perth on November 21.

T20 Squad:

• Mitchell Marsh (captain)
• Sean Abbott (games 1-3)
• Xavier Bartlett
• Tim David
• Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5)
• Nathan Ellis
• Josh Hazlewood (games 1-2)
• Mahli Beardman (games 3-5)
• Travis Head
• Josh Philippe
• Josh Inglis
• Matthew Kuhnemann
• Mitchell Owen
• Matt Short
• Marcus Stoinis
• Adam Zampa

Australia vs India T20I Schedule:

• October 29: First T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 7:15pm AEDT
• October 31: Second T20I, MCG, Melbourne, 7:15pm AEDT
• November 2: Third T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 7:15pm AEDT
• November 6: Fourth T20I, Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast, 7:15pm AEDT
• November 8: Fifth T20I, The Gabba, Brisbane, 7:15pm AEDT

Published on October 24, 2025.