BBL hero in frame for first Aussie cap in Caribbean

Hobart's Big Bash League hero Mitch Owen is on the cusp of a first Australian cap after being selected in the Twenty20 International squad to tour the West Indies.
It comes as Test spinner Matt Kuhnemann earns selection in his first T20I squad and out-of-sorts Jake Fraser-McGurk is dropped from the set-up.
Owen's call-up continues a whirlwind start to the year for the 23-year-old, who powered the Hurricanes to their first BBL title with a century in the final against the Sydney Thunder.
He finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer and earned a maiden call-up to the IPL as Punjab Kings' injury replacement for Glenn Maxwell, though was dismissed for a second-ball duck in his only game.
Owen brings versatility to the 16-player squad, able to open the batting or slot into the middle order for the five matches played across Jamaica and St Kitt's after the three-Test series.
Swashbuckling young gun Fraser-McGurk joins veteran allrounder Marcus Stoinis and paceman Xavier Bartlett in missing the T20 squad for next month's matches.
Fraser-McGurk withdrew from the IPL when it went on hiatus after managing only one score in double figures from six innings with Delhi Capitals.
Chief selector George Bailey suggested all hope was not lost ahead for those who missed selection as Australia prepares for next year's T20 World Cup.
"There are a number of players outside the squad who can till force their way into the mix," he said.
"The connection, role development and combinations we will have as options are growing nicely as we build towards the World Cup."
Kuhnemann's inclusion continues a great calendar year for the tweaker, who was Australia's best bowler in the dominant Test series win over Sri Lanka.
He joins as back-up to Adam Zampa but is a chance for game-time if decks point to needing two front-line spinners.
Multi-format superstars Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Mitch Starc are unavailable for the T20Is, opting to return home after the Test matches.
But allrounders Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly have been included in the squad on return from injury.
AUSTRALIA'S T20 SQUAD FOR WEST INDIES TOUR:
Mitch Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.

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"I'd be very surprised if there's anybody saying that we, automatically as a result of what the US has done, are now part of that conflict." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to even entertain the possibility of military involvement. When Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed the government would deploy defence assets to assist evacuation efforts, she repeatedly emphasised that they were not there for combat purposes. And in the immediate aftermath of the US strikes, a government spokesperson said they "note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace" while continuing to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. While the coalition has insisted it does not want war, acting foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie said the opposition supported the US bombings and claimed it was a "necessary action to take". However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia's respond to the bombings would be defining."Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran's nuclear program," Mr Downer said on X. "We've been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation." About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation. Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been evacuated from the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan. Mr Sinodinos warned the future of Iran was uncertain as strikes could lead to the collapse of the country's regime. 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However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia's respond to the bombings would be defining."Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran's nuclear program," Mr Downer said on X. "We've been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation." About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation. Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been evacuated from the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan. Mr Sinodinos warned the future of Iran was uncertain as strikes could lead to the collapse of the country's regime. 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'No way' Australia will deploy combat troops in Iran

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