Pattinson, Lyon left out

Cricket Australia have announced 30-player preliminary squads for the men's and women's ICC World Twenty20 but there are some surprise omissions from the men's team as James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon missed out.

The International Cricket Council tournament begins in Sri Lanka on September 18, with the Australian men's team drawn against Ireland and the West Indies.

Despite featuring in the Twenty20 side that played against the West Indies earlier this year, Pattinson has missed a place on the preliminary squad as Australian selectors opted to hand the pace duties to Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Starc and Clint McKay, who will all play in the upcoming series against Pakistan, along with Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes, Ben Laughlin and Ryan Harris.

Despite being a Twenty20 specialist to begin with, Lyon has lost his place in the preliminary squad to veteran Brad Hogg and newcomer Glenn Maxwell.

In the most recent ICC World Twenty20, the Australian men's side lost their final in 2010 competition to England in Barbados.

Michael Hussey, Shane Watson and Johnson are among the veterans from the previous campaign named in the preliminary roster for 2012, while Starc, Cummins and skipper George Bailey head the list of candidates in contention to experience the competition for the first time.

"The ICC World Twenty20 will be a fiercely contested tournament," Chairman of Selectors John Inverarity said.

"A great deal of flamboyant cricketing talent will be on display and some games will be turned on their heads by 10 minutes of brilliance. The squad announced today is full of talent, enterprise and all-round strength.

"Within the 30 players named is depth and cover for all departments within the team."

The Southern Stars, meanwhile, defeated New Zealand to claim their first title in the competition during the last women's T20 tournament.

The women's matches begin on September 26, with the men's and women's semi-finals and final to be staged as double-headers.

The Southern Stars are drawn against India, England and Pakistan, and are likely to call on the talents of captain Jodie Fields, as well as all-rounders Lisa Sthalekar and Ellyse Perry, who were named in the preliminary squad.

"The WNSP (Women's National Selection Panel) has chosen a squad, with a diverse array of talents, to form the basis for the selection of a squad of 14 capable of defending the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this year," WNSP Chair of Selectors Julie Savage said.

The first pool match for Australia's men is against Ireland on September 19, while the Southern Stars begin their tournament defence against India on September 27.

Australia men's squad:

George Bailey, Travis Birt, Dan Christian, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Laughlin, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Dirk Nannes, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, Rob Quiney, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Australia women's squad:

Charlotte Anneveld, Jemma Barsby, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell, Melissa Bulow, Erin Burns, Jess Cameron, Nicola Carey, Renee Chappell, Sarah Coyte, Lauren Ebsary, Sarah Elliott, Holly Ferling, Jodie Fields, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Julie Hunter, Jessica Jonassen, Meg Lanning, Sharon Millanta, Beth Mooney, Erin Osborne, Ellyse Perry, Leah Poulton, Angela Reakes, Megan Schutt, Lisa Sthalekar, Kara Sutherland, Gemma Triscari, Elyse Villani.