Australia may test Muirhead in Hobart

Uncapped youngster James Muirhead could make his debut for Australia in the first Twenty (20) International (T20I) against England on Wednesday. Muirhead has only played two first-class matches for Victoria and five starts for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL) but will have a chance to play when the T20I series begins in Hobart. The 20-year-old shot to prominence late last year with a haul of 3-52 against England, while playing for the Prime Minister's XI. National selector John Inverarity said the squad was designed to give players, like Muirhead, an opportunity to put their hand up to be selected for the upcoming World Twenty20 in Bangladesh to be held March through April. "The NSP (National Selection Panel) is looking to develop spin bowling options for both the ICC World Twenty20 and the 2015 ICC World Cup," Inverarity said. "Muirhead is an exciting prospect as an emerging leg-spinner and will be looking to make the most of his opportunity." Chris Lynn is the only other uncapped player in the squad after earning a call-up with 197 runs at a strike rate of 148 for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL. Mitchell Johnson, David Warner and Shane Watson have been rested from the Australian team to give opportunities to other players. England will be keen to get off to good start in the three-match series after losing the Test series 5-0 and the One Day International series 4-1. Stuart Broad will captain the T20 side with the majority of England's Test side, including long-form skipper Alistair Cook, returning home. Several English players have been warming up for this series by playing in the Big Bash including Jos Buttler, Ravi Bopara, Alex Hales and Luke Wright.