Australia name 14-man Test squad to face Pakistan: Details here
What's the story
The likes of Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns and Travis Head have earned their places in the Australian Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan at home. Australia, who retained the Ashes after drawing 2-2 against England, play their second series in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. Here are further details about the Aussie squad.
Aussie side
Khawaja, Harris and Siddle miss out on selection
Australia have named a 14-man squad to face Babar Azam-led Pakistan. The first Test starts on November 21. Notably, Australia haven't selected the likes of Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris and fast bowler Peter Siddle. These three had earlier travelled to England for the Ashes. A lot of the decision-making was based on the recently-concluded warm-up Test for Australia A against Pakistan.
Information
Australia's 14-man Test squad to face Pakistan
Here's Australia's 14-man Test squad to face Pakistan: Tim Paine (captain), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
Bancroft
Bancroft's return a surprise move
Opening batsman Bancroft's selection hasn't been based on big runs in the domestic circuit. The player was dropped midway through the Ashes series. And then his red-ball form continued to diminish. He scored a pair of rapid half-centuries for Western Australia in the Domestic One-Day Competition. However, he struggled in the Sheffield Shield. In six outings, Bancroft got meagre returns of 57 runs.
Views
Trevor Hohns has his say on Bancroft
Bancroft has been backed to do well in Tests. "He has the ingredients to be a very good Test player, he just has to put the performance on the board when he is given that opportunity," national selector Trevor Hohns said. "Everything else about him is the sort of thing that Justin Langer and the selection panel want from a player," he added.
Opening woes
Australia's opening the major focus against Pakistan
Australia struggled immensely in the Ashes 2019 with their opening department. The likes of David Warner, Bancroft and Harris never quite going. Harris has been left out and Joe Burns has come in as a replacement. He is likely to open in the two Tests alongside Warner. This is an area Pakistan will look to target. Aussies are pretty vulnerable at the top.
Positive points
Smith, bowlers the trump cards for the Aussies
Steve Smith, who scored a whopping 774 runs in Ashes 2019, will shoulder the responsibility with the bat. Marnus Labuschagne was solid as well and is a crucial customer. Australia have gone in with five premium pacers. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Michael Neser are all present in the squad. The pacers have done well of late.