West Australian wicket-keeper Josh Philippe called into Australia’s squad for Twenty20 series in India

West Australian wicket-keeper Josh Philippe will fly to India and join Australia’s Twenty20 squad. Philippe will not be named in WA’s Sheffield Squad for a clash with Queensland starting on Tuesday, instead picked for the remainder of the five-match series. The surprise selection comes amid a tough year with the bat in red-ball cricket for the 26-year-old, where he is yet to pass 50. His white-ball form has been stronger, opening the season with a match-winning 90 and posting 61 against New South Wales a fortnight ago. It means he could be in line to add to his 10 T20I’s, the last of which came on a tour of Bangladesh in 2021. The West Australian understands Steve Smith is set to be sent home. He made 52 in the first match on Thursday night, in tandem with Josh Inglis, who blasted his maiden century. Smith had started the series at the top of the order for Australia in a potential audition for next year’s World Cup in the format. It is also understood Adam Zampa will return home after not being used in the opening game of the series, with Sydney Thunder T20 specialist Chris Green to replace him. The second match of the series will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday night. The Australia side, captained by Matthew Wade, already includes West Aussies Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis and Inglis. WA’s side to face Queensland is set to be announced tomorrow and could look vastly different to the one that beat South Australia in a tense finish at the WACA Ground last week. Perth Cricket Club star and Rod Marsh Wicket-keeping academy product Joel Curtis is considered the frontrunner to replace Philippe in the side. It comes amid speculation Philippe may have lost his place in the four-day team based on form.