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AAP
AAP
Sport
Rob Forsaith

Agar out, Aussies bowl in World Cup opener

Ashton Agar has been left out of Australia's side to play South Africa at the T20 World Cup. (AAP)

Australia have left Ashton Agar on the sidelines for their Twenty20 World Cup opener against South Africa in Abu Dhabi, where Aaron Finch has opted to bowl.

Coach Justin Langer decided to squeeze Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins into Australia's XI, meaning Agar was the unlucky spinner to miss out on a spot in the attack.

Adam Zampa and Agar have both regularly featured in Australia's first-choice XI in the format during recent years.

Agar is sixth on the International Cricket Council's T20 bowling rankings, making him Australia's top-ranked bowler.

Finch said after winning the toss it was a "brutally tough" call to leave Agar and Kane Richardson out of the side.

It is the first time Test quicks Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins have played together in a T20 for Australia.

This is the seventh edition of the men's T20 World Cup, with Australia still searching for their first title.

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma (capt), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

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