Lee, Hodge, Bracken named in 30-man preliminary Oz squad for T20 World Cup

Melbourne, Feb 27 (ANI): Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who retired from Test cricket to prolong his ODI and T20 career, has been named in the 30-man preliminary squad for this year's Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Lee has not represented Australia in any format since October, but the selectors showed their faith by including him in a squad that will be halved closer to the event, scheduled to start in late April.

Pacer Nathan Bracken has also been included despite spending most of the season sidelined through injury, while veteran batsman Brad Hodge is also in despite not having represented his country for almost two years.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson believes Lee and Hodge could play a part in the event.

"You definitely want your best players in those big tournaments. Hodgey's got the record. He has proven himself in the Twenty20 form and even in the longer form as well," FOX Sports quoted Johnson, as saying.

"Brett is another guy who can bowl 150 or 160 and scare the opposition. When it comes down to it, I guess if you're in form, you're in form and they're going to pick the best side.

"To have those guys around would be great for the younger guys as well because of that experience. That's the great thing about Australian cricket at the moment, the depth that we have," Johnson added. (ANI)