Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has named a 17-man squad for the KFC Twenty20 International Series against India in Adelaide (26 January), Melbourne (29 January) and Sydney (31 January).

The squad features two changes from the line-up on duty at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, with David Warner returning in place of Usman Khawaja after missing matches two and three because of the birth of his second child, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon replaces Joel Paris.

Steve Smith and David Warner will only feature in the first KFC T20I before sitting out the two matches that follow as they both prepare for the first ODI of the Qantas Tour of New Zealand that takes place in Auckland on 3 February.

“Our choice of 17 for the KFC T20Is gives us a chance to look at some options ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in India.

“Shane Watson has earned his recall to Australian colours through a combination of his experience – especially in short-form cricket – the all-round package he offers and the fact he is bang in form at the moment, having put performances on the board for the Sydney Thunder.

“Shaun Tait returns on the basis that he is the quickest bowler going around in Australia at the moment and he offers us that explosive option if we choose to use it. Like Shane Watson, he is also vastly experienced in Twenty20 cricket.

“Chris Lynn, Travis Head and Andrew Tye have made irresistible cases for inclusion off the back of individual excellence in the KFC BBL and we are delighted to offer them the opportunity to push their claims for inclusion in the ICC World Twenty20.

“In terms of leg-spin, Cameron Boyce has once again impressed in domestic action and deserves his spot.

“Sadly we could not find places for George Bailey and Mitchell Marsh in the Twenty20 International squad but for both of them, and for others who have missed out on places in that line-up, the door is certainly not closed for selection for the ICC World Twenty20.

“We know what both those players are capable of, and both have significant experience of playing Twenty20 cricket in India where the ICC World Twenty20 takes place, but we want them to continue to press their cases for inclusion while we take this opportunity to look at other contenders.”

The squad is:

Aaron Finch

Scott Boland 

Cameron Boyce

James Faulkner

John Hastings

Travis Head 

Nathan Lyon

Chris Lynn

Glenn Maxwell

Shaun Marsh

Kane Richardson

Steve Smith

Shaun Tait

Andrew Tye

Matthew Wade

David Warner N/A

Shane Watson