Sport

CRIKET: Chris Lynn has faith in new-look Australian T20 team

He still can't pick up a bat but Chris Lynn has come out swinging in support of Australia's new-look T-20 squad, saying they will "get the job done comfortably" against Sri Lanka.

And the recovering master blaster has also rounded on critics of Queensland teammate Sam Heazlett's Australian one day call-up in New Zealand.

Despite battling a neck injury, Lynn was on Wednesday named in Australia's 13-man squad for the T20 series against Sri Lanka from February 17.

An Australian one-day team is also currently contesting a three-match series in New Zealand.

And the likes of Test stars Steve Smith, David Warner and Usman Khawaja are unavailable for either as they prepare for Australia's tour of India starting on February 23.

Lynn - who hopes to prove his fitness in a week - admitted the scheduling clash was not ideal but believed Australia had the depth to claim the T20 series without their established stars.

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"Even though it is a new look squad, to get picked in that line-up they are doing something right," said Lynn, who has not picked up a bat since being sidelined following Australia's opening ODI against Pakistan on January 13.

"It's still a green and gold jersey. I have not seen too many mugs put on that jersey."

The big hitting Queenslander said one look at the recent Big Bash League showed Australia had enough talent to cover the three-match T20 Sri Lankan series.

"I think the depth in Australian cricket - especially in that (T20) format - is there," he said.

"I am sure the crowd would love to see Steve Smith and Dave Warner turn up.

"(But) we have young talent coming through which I believe can take on international teams even with the Test team away.

"I am sure the new look squad will get the job done comfortably."

Lynn also didn't miss when asked about criticism of Bulls teammate Heazlett.

Former Test quick Mitchell Johnson said he "wasn't too pleased" with the unheralded Heazlett's selection for Australia's opening ODI clash against New Zealand this week.

Heazlett made just four on debut in Australia's six-run loss at Eden Park.

"It's out of nowhere. I'm not even sure he's played a one-day game for Queensland ... I don't know what the selection is for," Johnson told Fox Sports TV.

But Lynn said the series was ideal for blooding youngsters like Heazlett.

"Was Haz the best (to be) picked, I don't know?" Lynn said.

"But he is a gun and I think he will play cricket for Australia in all three formats in the next 10 years.

"And if there is a series that they are going to do it (blood players), there's no better series to do it than right now."

AAP