David Warner was included in the Australia team squad that will face Pakistan in the first of the three Tests. The first Test will be played in Perth from December 14-18. The other two matches will be played in Melbourne from December 26-30 and in Sydney from January 3-7.
Warner getting included in the Australia squad for the first Test brightens his chances for a dream farewell from the format. If he holds his place for the second Test, Warner might very well have his final hurrah in Tests on his home ground in Sydney.
However, it depends on how Warner performs with the bat. He has averaged 28 in Test matches since the summer of 2019 when he made a triple century against Pakistan at Adelaide. He is expected to open the batting with Usman Khawaja.
Other opening candidates like Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw, and Marcus Harris will have a chance to stake their claims with the Prime Minister’s XI which plays Pakistan at Canberra from December 6 to 9.
Pacer Lance Morris has been recalled to the 14-man Australia squad and is expected to make his Australia debut. Morris has taken 11 wickets at 25.5 in three Sheffield Shield matches for West Australia since returning from a back injury.
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Cameron Green also returns after previously losing his Test spot to Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey has been named wicketkeeper after losing that role at the recent one-day World Cup.
Spinner Nathan Lyon is back after recovering from a calf injury which ruled him out of the latter stages of the Ashes series. He replaces Todd Murphy.
“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.
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,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
Australia squad for the first Test vs. Pakistan:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (WK), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner.
(AP inputs)
