Big Bash hero confirmed for Aussie debut ... but selection headache remains

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Mitchell Owen will make his international debut in Jamaica on Monday AEST, with the Tasmanian all-rounder set to receive Australian men’s T20 cap No. 112 this week.

Although captain Mitchell Marsh didn’t reveal Australia’s starting XI for the series opener while speaking to reporters in Kingston on Saturday, he confirmed to cricket.com.au that Owen would make his T20I debut against the West Indies at Sabina Park.

“The ball has been flying about (at training), he’s a really exciting prospect for Australia,” Marsh said of Owen.

“A young, imposing figure, he appears to be a really nice young man, and we just want him to enjoy playing big for Australia, and hopefully he can win us a few games.”

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Owen is one of two potential debutants in Australia’s squad alongside spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.

The 23-year-old became one of T20 cricket’s most in-demand talents after smacking a 39-ball century during January’s Big Bash League final against the Sydney Thunder, helping the Hobart Hurricanes win their maiden title. The right-hander has since made cameos in South Africa’s SA20, the Pakistan Super League, the Indian Premier League and the United States’ Major League Cricket.

Earlier this month, Owen received the MLC’s most valuable player award for the 2025 season after cracking 313 runs at a strike rate of 194.40 and taking 14 wickets for the Washington Freedom.

“All that experience has made me quite clear on my game plan, and that breeds a bit of confidence,” Owen told reporters on Friday.

“If given the opportunity, I’m good to go and ready to go.”

Mitchell Owen’s T20 record in 2025

BBL – 452 runs at 45.20, SR 203.60 (11 innings)

SA20 – 14 runs at 4.66, SR 127.27 (3 innings)

PSL – 102 runs at 14.57, SR 192.45 (7 innings)

IPL – 0 runs at 0.00 (1 innings)

MLC – 313 runs at 28.45, SR 194.40 (11 innings)

Mitch Owen of the Hurricanes. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Owen clobbered 452 runs at 45.20 as an opener during last summer’s Big Bash, but he will most likely slot into the middle order for the first T20 against tbe West Indies.

Australia’s squad is already stacked with quality openers, including captain Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis along with Victorians Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, while Travis Head has been rested for the T20 leg of the West Indies tour.

Owen may be tasked with batting down at No. 6 or No. 7 as a pinch-hitter alongside Hurricanes teammate Tim David, while with Marsh and Cameron Green not expected to be bowl during the white-ball series, his seamers may also be required in the Caribbean.

“Looking at the top order and the talent and the skill and the experience that we have there, if I’m given an opportunity, I don’t care where it is, I’m just happy to be playing for this team,” Owen said.

“I had a little bit of experience at the PSL batting down at No. 6 or No. 7.

“Like I said, I’m just happy to be getting a game.”

Australia has 19 matches to fine-tune its starting XI ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in the subcontinent. Fringe players Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett will be looking to press their case for the marquee tournament, while superstars Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa also feature in the national squad.

“Like most guys coming in and out of the squad over the next (19) games, we’ll see guys bat in different positions and get opportunities in certain positions,” Marsh continued.

“First and foremost, it’s always we’re representing Australia, we’re here to win the series and culturally, that’s how we want to go about it.

“There will be guys that get opportunities.

“We’ve obviously got a few guys missing for this series for a well-earned rest, but we want guys to be flexible, fluid, come together as a team and be really connected.”

The first T20 between the West Indies and Australia gets underway at Kingston’s Sabina Park on Monday at 10am AEST.

Australia’s T20 squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

Australia’s T20 tour of the West Indies

All times AEST

First T20 – July 21, 10am at Kingston, Jamaica

Second T20 – July 23, 10am at Kingston, Jamaica

Third T20 – July 26, 9am at Basseterre, St Kitts

Fourth T20 – July 27, 9am at Basseterre, St Kitts

Fifth T20 – July 29, 9am at Basseterre, St Kitts

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