Michael Klinger admits to tears after Australia call him up at age of 36

Gloucestershire star Michael Klinger admitted he could not hold back the tears after being given his first Australia call-up at the age of 36.

The prolific batsman has been named in the Twenty20 squad to face Sri Lanka in a three-match series this month.

Bowlers Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner and Billy Stanlake are also in line for debuts.

The three Twenty20 matches overlap with a Test series in India and interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said it was the perfect opportunity for Australia to build some depth.

"With a number of our frontline players preparing for the India Test series we have chosen a squad with a good blend of experience combined with several younger players in an effort to improve our performance," Hohns said.

Klinger was the star of Perth Scorchers' Big Bash triumph, scoring 71no in the final. He told the club's website: "I called my wife first. I held back the tears until I spoke to her. [Coach] Justin Langer gave me a big hug and it was hard to keep the tears away until I spoke to her.

"I called my brother, my dad and my sister. It was a moment I wasn't sure was going to come.

"That half an hour when I got to speak to my family, I'll treasure forever.

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"It's 15-16 years of hard work. It's great to get some reward now. Exciting is the best word.

Aaron Finch was confirmed as the captain and top-order batsman Chris Lynn was also included pending being passed fit by a specialist later this week.

The series starts on February 17 in Melbourne before the second game in Geelong two days later with the final match in Adelaide on February 22.

Squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Michael Klinger, Chris Lynn (subject to fitness), Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.