Australia Announce Test Squad For Historic Pakistan Tour

Australia have added as many as three spin options for their upcoming tour to Pakistan. Ashton Agar along with Mitchell Swepson and Nathan Lyon is a part of the 18-member squad announced for the Test series. This is the first time Australia is travelling to Pakistan for a series after 1998. 

Andrew McDonald will serve as the interim head coach of the side following the resignation of Justin Langer. There is no major surprise inclusion in the Pat Cummins-led Australian side after their victorious Ashes campaign. Jhye Richardson will miss the tour as part of Cricket Australia‘s decision to manage his workload given his injury history.

Michael Neser is a part of the five-man pace attack including Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland. Australia have also added Mitchell Marsh as another all-rounder to the squad while Josh Inglis is the second wicket-keeper in the squad. 

“This squad covers for all scenarios including the conditions given it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan,” national selector George Bailey said.

“With several subcontinent tours and a one-day World Cup in India on the near horizon this is a great first-up challenge for the group after the successful home Ashes Series. It’s also a very historic tour given the length of time since an Australian side last toured Pakistan” he further added. 

None of the players has pulled out from the tour yet as was earlier reported. However, the Australian Cricketers’ Association expects a few players to pull out at the last moment due to security concerns. 

Australia Squad For Pakistan Test Series

Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (vc), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson

Revised Schedule of Australia’s Tour of Pakistan 2022:

27 Feb – Arrival in Islamabad

4-8 Mar – 1st Test, Rawalpindi

12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, Karachi

21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Lahore

29 Mar – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

2 April – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

5 Apr – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi

6 Apr – Departure

Also Read: Can’t Wait To Go To Pakistan – Aaron Finch Confirms His Availability For Much-Awaited Series