The National Selection Panel (NSP) has announced the following 14-player Australian squad for the Domain two-Test Series against Pakistan at The Gabba in Brisbane from November 21-26 and the day/night fixture at the Adelaide Oval from November 29-December 3:
Australia
Tim Paine (c) (Tasmania)
Cameron Bancroft (Western Australia)
Joe Burns (Queensland)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Josh Hazelwood (New South Wales)
Travis Head (vc) (South Australia)
Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)
Nathan Lyon (New South Wales)
Michael Neser (Queensland)
James Pattinson (Victoria)
Steven Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
National selector Trevor Hohns said: “In selecting this squad we have strived to maintain the core group which performed so well for us during the Ashes. This is a well credentialled squad and one we hope will serve us well throughout the summer. As always there were players who were unlucky to miss the squad. Those players remain firmly in the national selection frame and will continue to be monitored closely.
“We look forward to the team continuing the momentum from a superb performance in retaining the Ashes in England and the unbeaten Gillette T20 International Series.
“David Warner and Steven Smith are in magical touch. We also welcome Joe Burns into the squad who we feel was unlucky to miss the Ashes squad. Joe’s record speaks for itself, he has Test hundreds on the board and has combined very well with David (Warner) in the past. We also like the feel of a right-hand, left-hand combination at the top of the order, while Marnus’ performances in England and at the start of this season demanded his selection.
“Travis scored a hundred against a very good New South Wales attack just a few weeks ago and also offers the option of part-time off-spin. Matthew Wade was superb as a specialist batsman through last summer, had a solid Ashes Series with two hundreds and strong start to the current domestic season.
“We anticipate Matthew and Travis will give us a strong middle order in support of the top four. Cameron Bancroft is someone who has the ingredients of what we believe makes a good Test cricketer and rounds out our batting group in the squad.
“We are blessed to have four of the best fast bowlers in the world challenging each other for spots and most importantly playing as a group. Cummins, Starc, Hazelwood and Pattinson are daunting pace prospects for any opposition, particularly at home. Michael Neser adds to that group with his ability move the ball both ways, giving the team another bowling option depending on the conditions.”
Tim Paine captains the side with Pat Cummins and Travis Head his vice-captains. The Test squad for the Domain Test Series against New Zealand will be announced following the Pakistan Series.
Australia plays Pakistan beginning at the Gabba on Thursday November 21 with the Domain Test Series concluding with a day-night fixture at Adelaide Oval from Friday, November 29.
The Domain Test Series against Pakistan:
November 21-25 – First Domain Test, The Gabba
November 29-December 3 – Second Domain Test, Adelaide Oval (d/n)
