According to Reuters, it is likely that Australia opener David Warner will be able to retire on his own terms after being included in the 14-man squad for the first match in the three-game series against Pakistan. Warner had expressed his desire to end his 12-year test career after the third test against Pakistan in Sydney early next year, and his place in the squad seems to have been secured despite his recent lack of runs in the test format.
One unexpected addition to the squad was Lance Morris, a bowler from Western Australia who could potentially make his test debut in the upcoming match in Perth. Another change to the squad was the return of off-spinner Nathan Lyon in place of Todd Murphy, who missed the end of last year’s Ashes series due to a calf injury. Otherwise, Australia’s squad remains unchanged from their recent success in the World Test Championship and retention of the Ashes in England.
Chief selector George Bailey also mentioned that there are still opportunities for other players to prove themselves for the upcoming tests against Pakistan in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as the series against West Indies that follows. He expressed excitement about the performances of domestic players who will have a chance to showcase their skills in the Prime Minister’s XI fixture against Pakistan later in the week.
As for Pakistan, they have not won a test match in Australia for almost thirty years and are currently in Canberra preparing for the start of the tour match at Manuka Oval. The Australian squad includes David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, and Lance Morris. The report was by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney and edited by Matthew Lewis.
