Australia named a strong 14-member squad for the opening test match against Pakistan to be played at Optus Stadium, Perth from 14th December onwards. This will be the first-ever 5-day encounter after the Aussies retained the Ashes in England this year despite a 2-2 draw. Australia would be looking to showcase their domination as this will be important for the ICC 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle.
David Warner has been included in the team and would likely open the innings along with Usman Khawaja. Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey comprise the middle-order batters.
Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh will be the all-rounders in the first test match. The pace bowling looks quite settled as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland and Lance Morris. Cummins and Starc would certainly play in the XI. With the conditions at Perth likely to help pace bowlers, the question remains whether they will play four seamers or include Nathan Lyon as the lone spinner.
Despite retaining the Ashes series, Australia is currently at the number 3 spot in the 2023-25 World Test Championship points table due to points deduction of slow over rate.
Nathan Lyon is the lone spinner included in the squad. He will return to the squad after missing the last three Test matches of the Ashes 2023. Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw will play in the Prime Minister XI against Pakistan in the four-day game in Canberra from 6th December onwards.
Australia looking to dominate Pakistan
“Thirteen members of the squad were part of the victorious World Test Championship and successful Ashes tours over the winter and Lance Morris has been recalled after recovering from his back injury over the same period,” Bailey said.
“As ever, there will be opportunities in the short to medium term to break into this squad and we look forward to seeing the continued strong performances from players who have been performing domestically, many of whom will get a tremendous opportunity in the PM’s XI fixture against Pakistan later this week.”
Australia became the Champions of the 2021-23 World Test Championship defeating India by a huge margin played at Kennington Oval, London this year.
Australia’s First Test squad against Pakistan:
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Lance Morris, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
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