Selectors overlook Warriors quick
WA captain Adam Voges is surprised in-form Nathan Coulter-Nile was overlooked for Australia's Twenty20 squad despite the paceman's barnstorming return from injury.
Voges backed his Warriors teammate to force his way into international ranks this summer.
And Voges himself has not given up hope of playing in next year's World Cup.
Coulter-Nile was a notable omission from the 13-man squad announced yesterday for the T20 series against South Africa starting on November 5.
Selectors opted for veteran Doug Bollinger alongside Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson and Ben Cutting.
Ben Dunk was chosen to wear the gloves as No.1 wicket-keeper Brad Haddin is on Test duty in the United Arab Emirates.
Dunk's call-up comes after he belted a record domestic one-day innings of 229 not out against Queensland at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
It is a significant reversal in fortunes for Dunk, who found himself on the cricket scrap heap only two years ago after now Australian coach Darren Lehmann axed the keeper-batsman from Queensland's squad.
Coulter-Nile missed the cut despite coming off two man-of-the-match performances, taking 5-26 and 4-32 in WA's past two one-day wins.
He became a regular for Australia in one-day and T20 ranks last summer before seriously injuring a hamstring in April.
"I'm sure he's probably a little bit disappointed that he didn't get picked in the Twenty20 squad," Voges said.
"I'm sure there's a reason behind that. They probably want him to play the first couple of shield games and that's good for WA while we've got him around.
"But I'm a little bit disappointed and surprised that they didn't reward our bowlers.
"Obviously with the success the Scorchers had last year and combine that with two guys (Coulter-Nile and Joel Paris) who are the leading wicket-takers in this competition, I thought there could have been room for at least one."
Voges, 35, returned to form with an unbeaten 83 in WA's six-wicket win over Victoria on Sunday.
He last played for Australia at ODI level almost a year ago but said he had ambitions to play in the 2015 World Cup.
"I certainly haven't given up hope," Voges said. "I probably realise that it may be a little bit further away than what it was back then. But if I can continue to keep performing and keep scoring as many runs as I can and putting my hand up, then you just never know."
Voges labelled the chances of Mitch and Shaun Marsh qualifying for the World Cup as "very strong".
Australian T20 squad: *Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Cameron Boyce, Pat Cummins, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk (wk), James Faulkner, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Reardon, Kane Richardson, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
