Tasmanian George Bailey is the new Australian Twenty20 captain replacing Cameron White, who has been cut from the squad to face India in two matches next month.
The other major selection shock is the return of veteran spinner Brad Hogg to international cricket.
Hogg, who is nearly 41 years of age and had retired back in 2008, revealed chief selector John Iverarity informed him of the decision early on Monday morning.
The left-armer has been in superb form for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, a big reason for the side reaching the final of the competition.
"He woke me up at seven o'clock in the morning, the old bugger," Hogg said.
"I was pumping my fist before I answered it.
"It's great news. I hardly slept last night. It's just like being a kid again and another Christmas present under the Christmas tree."
Hogg will play his first match for Australia since his one-day farewell against India in March 2008.
Bailey, 29, who plays alongside White in the Melbourne Stars in the BBL, will lead Australia against the Indians in Sydney and Melbourne.
Bailey, who is one of five Stars players to be named, captained Australia A in the drawn tour match against New Zealand at Allan Border Field in November.
Tasmanian Tigers skipper for the one-day and Sheffield Shield competition, Bailey is a surprise selection after compiling very modest Big Bash figures.
Inverarity insisted picking Bailey was not a difficult decision for the national selection panel.
"The NSP has been discussing this squad for about six weeks and has unanimously decided on the squad, the captain and the vice-captain," Inverarity said.
"The selectors consider this to be a very well balanced squad and look forward to the team acquitting itself very well.
"The panel unanimously favoured George Bailey as captain.
"George is a very good T20 player with a sound record. He is widely respected and regarded as an outstanding captain, having had sustained success in this role.
"The NSP has the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka in September to the fore in its mind with these selections."
White scored just 55 runs at an average of eight, but Bailey only managed 114 runs at 19 himself for the tournament.
There have been a number of changes to the Australian squad which toured South Africa late last year, mostly due to injury.
Notable omissions include then vice-captain Shane Watson and young bowlers Pat Cummins and James Pattinson.
Australia play India at Sydney's Olympic stadium on February 1 with the second game two days later at the MCG.
Australian T20 Squad:
George Bailey (capt), David Warner (vice capt) Travis Birt, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Matthew Wade.
AAP
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, australia First posted January 23, 2012 16:32:12
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