AUS vs PAK: Pat Cummins Announces Australia's Playing XI For David Warner's Final Test Match
Published - 02 Jan 2024, 11:31 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
Australia skipper Pat Cummins has named an unchanged playing XI for the third and final Test of the ongoing series against Pakistan. Pat Cummins emphasized that the breaks between Test matches offer them an opportunity to manage their workload effectively.
The Aussies clinched the series with victories in the first two matches in Perth and Melbourne, respectively. The home team is set to face the Men in Green in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, aiming to maintain their winning momentum.
Veteran opener David Warner is poised to bid adieu to Test cricket after the upcoming dead rubber at his home ground in Sydney. Warner, who recently retired from ODI cricket, is set to conclude his illustrious career, leaving a lasting impact on the cricketing world.
David Warner and Usman Khawaja will open the innings for the last time in Test cricket. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who will seek redemption after recent challenges, will anchor the middle order, followed by Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in the lineup.
All-rounder Cameron Green and pacer Scott Boland remain on the bench for the third test match in the series. Uncapped pacer Lance Morris was included in the squad for the first Test and was released by the team management ahead of the second Test match.
Also Read: AUS vs PAK: David Warner Loses Baggy Green Cap Ahead Of Final Test, Pleads For Its Safe Return
All Three Of Us Are Really Fresh – Pat Cummins
Speaking on the eve of the third Test in Sydney, Pat Cummins expressed that the star pace trio is fresh, considering the well-spaced schedule this summer.
“Potentially. It’d be rare. Normally each summer there’s something that pops up. But all three of us are really fresh,” Cummins told reporters on Tuesday.
“Even the way this summer is spread out a bit more, there’s two Tests on, then a bit of a gap, then two Tests, then a bit of a gap, then New Zealand. We’ll give it a chance. It’s all gone pretty smoothly so far.”
Australia is set to face the West Indies in a multi-format series, with the first Test set to be played in Adelaide starting on January 17. Subsequently, Australia will embark on a tour of New Zealand, featuring 3 T20Is and 2 Tests, commencing on February 21.
I Only Just Thought Of It Then – Pat Cummins
David Warner began his farewell series with a stellar century in Perth and will aim to replicate that success in front of his home crowd. Cummins expressed that Warner scoring another century and taking the last wicket of the game would be an ideal scenario.
“A hundred. Maybe some leg spin? Take the last wicket of the game or something, out of the rough. I only just thought of it then,” Cummins said while responding to a query in the pre-match press conference surrounding Warner’s ideal farwell.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Also read: PAK vs AUS: ‘Pat Cummins Is Going To Be…’ – Michael Vaughan Namedrops GOATs While Praising Pacer
