Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday, November 13, announced a 14-man squad for the upcoming two-match Domain Test Series against Pakistan, starting from November 21 at The Gabba.
While Victoria's Will Pucovski has withdrawn from the home Test series due to mental health concerns, Australia national selectors have sprung a huge surprise by recalling Cameron Bancroft and excluding Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris from 14-man squad for Pakistan Tests.
Queensland batsman Joe Burns has replaced Harris in the Australia squad for the upcoming series.
The hosts have also included the uncapped bowling all-rounder Michael Neser in the 14-man squad along with pacemen Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson against Pakistan.
Bancroft, who is one of three specialist openers along with Burns and David Warner in the 14-man squad, was given a surprise recall despite his own reservations about his recent form in the Sheffield Shield. He did score 49 against Pakistan while playing for Australia A in the tour match.
Clarifying Bancroft’s selection, Australia head selector Trevor Hohns said: “We thought we needed a spare batsman and he can cover the top order and [play] in the middle order.”
Hohns continued, “He's also played middle order in one-day cricket. He's worked very hard, the improvement in his game has been noticeable.”
He also commented on Pucovski: "It's a very unfortunate happening.He was certainly a contender."
Meanwhile, CA teams chief Ben Oliver hailed Pucovski’s decision, adding: “We applaud Will for having the courage to discuss his situation with team management in Perth. Will's decision not to nominate for Test selection was the right one in the circumstances and one that everyone in the Australian cricket family supports.”
Oliver added, “Mental health is a complex issue that unfortunately impacts many young men and women in our society. By Will bravely taking this position, he will undoubtedly inspire others facing similar challenges to speak up and take positive steps towards improving their mental wellbeing.”
Peter Siddle is one of the Ashes tourists with Harris and Khawaja who have been overlooked for the Pakistan Tests, starting with the first next week at The Gabba with the second and final Test on 29 November at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia squad for Domain Test Series –
Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head (vc), Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner
(With Sydney Morning Herald/ABC Australia News Inputs)
