McDermott stays on for UAE Twenty20s

The fast bowler Alister McDermott will remain with Australia's squad in the UAE for the Twenty20 series against Pakistan. McDermott, 21, was a late addition to the ODI squad as a replacement for the injured Clint McKay, but he was not called on to make his international debut during the series, which Australia won 2-1.

McKay will take rejoin the group for the Twenty20 portion of the tour but the selectors have decided to keep McDermott on as well. The three-match Twenty20 series begins on Wednesday and finishes on Monday, and from there the rest of the squad, excluding McDermott, will head to Sri Lanka for the ICC World Twenty20.

"The national selection panel have decided that Alister McDermott will remain in the UAE and be added to Australia's T20 squad for the three T20s on Australia's tour of the UAE," John Inverarity, the national selector, said. "Alister has acclimatised to the conditions and after some tight matches in very hot and humid conditions we feel it is worth keeping him with the group as an extra pace bowling option if required.

"As well as adding greater flexibility to the squad, we feel the extra exposure and experience around the group will be of great benefit to Alister's development."