Australia set to debut new T20 wicketkeeper against England

Australia will introduce a new T20 wicketkeeper next Saturday, with Josh Inglis rested for the upcoming five-game T20 series against England, Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Former teammate Sam Harper and emerging New South Wales product Lachlan Shaw are the two wicketkeepers in the hosts' squad.

Harper, named Player of the Tournament for BBL|15 last summer, is on the cusp of an international debut, with his rise with the bat in the past two summers being immense, going from out of Victoria's Sheffield Shield side at the end of the 2024-25 season to Test and T20I squad call-ups 18 months later.

World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch believes Harper's understanding of when to shift through the gears has been a catalyst for his remarkable resurgence.

"He's still ultra damaging at the start and that brings high risk, high reward," Finch said.

Finch also praised Xavier Bartlett, who led an impressive new-look Aussie pace attack in the first ODI, saying his ability to swing the ball would be a major weapon at the next level.

The first T20I will be held at the MCG next Saturday, with Australia holding a 1-0 lead in the ODI series against England.

The two teams will also play four more T20Is, with the series set to conclude on December 2.

Background

Australia and England have a long-standing cricket rivalry, with the two teams having played numerous series over the years.

The T20 format has become increasingly popular in recent years, with the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia and the English Premier League (ECB) showcasing the excitement and entertainment of the game.