AUS v PAK 2023-24: Australia and Pakistan announce playing XIs for 1st Test in Perth; Travis Head named co-vice-captain

The first Test will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth on December 14, 2023.

The first Test of the three-match series between Australia and Pakistan will be played in Perth on December 14, 2023. Pakistan will be looking to win their first Test down under since 1995-96.

Australia has made a huge announcement as Travis Head has been reappointed Australia’s Test vice-captain for the upcoming Test summer. Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed the playing Xi with only one change from the combination which played back in July at The Oval against England: Nathan Lyon returns from injury in place of Todd Murphy as the lone spinner.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith remains the senior vice-captain and first choice to stand in for Pat Cummins. Head had previously been a co-vice-captain of the Test team alongside Cummins when Tim Paine was captain.

"Really excited to have Trav on board as the co-vice-captain. He's been playing for a long time. He's always been a leader in our group. So we thought it was a good time to formally recognize that. Whilst nothing's imminent, Steve's not going to play forever. I daresay I'm not going to captain forever. So we feel like we've got some responsibility to future-proof the team and start trying to give opportunities to other leaders,” Cummins said in a statement.

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David Warner has been named as the opener with Usman Khawaja for the company. Mitchell Marsh has once again got the nod ahead of Cameron Green for the allrounder’s spot. Alex Carey will don the wicketkeeping gloves. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood will be the pacers.

On the other hand, Pakistan also announced their playing XI for the Perth Test, the first as captain for Shan Masood.

Two players- pacer Khurram Shahzad and all-rounder Aamir Jamal have been handed their Test debuts. Despite a year-long absence, Faheem Ashraf is back in the Test side, and Sarfaraz Ahmed retains his position as Pakistan's first-choice wicketkeeper over Mohammad Rizwan. 

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Imam-Ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique remain the openers while Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel will follow in the batting order. Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, and Faheem Ashraf are the all-rounders, while Shaheen Afridi will lead the pacer attack.

Australia XI:

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan XI:

Imam-Ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad

(Cricket.com.au and Cricket Pakistan inputs)