AUS vs PAK: David Warner Set For Farewell As Australia Confirms Unchanged 13-Member Squad For Final Test
Published - 31 Dec 2023, 12:15 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
David Warner is set for a farewell on his home ground in Sydney as Australia has confirmed an unchanged 13-man squad for the final Test against Pakistan. Chief Selector George Bailey said that they are looking forward to celebrating David Warner’s farewell Test.
The Pat Cummins-led team clinched a 79-run victory on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The home team secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. They will aim to win the third match to complete a series sweep against Pakistan.
The team opted not to introduce new players to the squad despite their series victory. Scott Boland and Cameron Green, who didn’t make it into the playing XI, will continue to be part of the team. Pacer Lance Morris will not make his debut in the upcoming Test.
We Look Forward To Celebrating David Warner’s Final Test – George Bailey
George Bailey expressed the team’s intention to achieve a clean sweep in the Test series in Sydney. Bailey emphasized celebrating David Warner‘s final Test match and his remarkable career at his home ground.
“The NSP have retained the same squad from Melbourne to Sydney as we look to clean sweep the Test series. We look forward to celebrating David Warner’s final Test match and his incredible career at his home ground,” Bailey said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
David Warner Is Going To Be Hard To Replace – Andrew McDonald
On Saturday, head coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged that they would consider all options for David Warner’s replacement, with the final decision likely to be made closer to the deadline, possibly before the West Indies game.
“All options will be considered. We’re not going to make the decision until the deadline, which would be the West Indies game. But yeah, Cameron Green, as a discussion around who are the best six batters, would definitely be in the discussion. (Warner is) going to be hard to replace, someone who strikes at 70 and averaging 45. He probably at the moment sits as probably our greatest all-three-format player,” McDonald said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
Contenders for Warner’s replacement include Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matt Renshaw. Harris, a centrally contracted player, is the frontrunner for the role. However, selectors are also exploring the option of Cameron Green taking on the role.
Marcus Harris showcased his form by scoring a century in a tour match against Pakistan at Junction Oval before the Boxing Day Test. On the other hand, Cameron Bancroft has been the leading run-scorer in the Marsh Sheffield Shield for the last season and a half.
Australia is set to face the West Indies in a two-match Test series, with the opening Test set to kick off on January 17th in Adelaide. The upcoming series is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.
Australia squad for the third Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner
