Australia Playing XI For 1st Test Against Pakistan Announced, Travis Head Named Vice-Captain Of Team

Australia have announced their playing XI for the first Test of the three-match series against Pakistan, set to commence in Perth on December 14. Swashbuckling batter Travis Head has been reappointed as vice-captain of the Test squad ahead of the Test summer.

The Pat Cummins-led team will host Pakistan as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 cycle. The defending champions began the cycle with a 2-2 draw against England in the Ashes series. The team is currently in fifth place with 18 points in the table.

Pat Cummins Confirms Playing XI For First Test

Skipper Pat Cummins has confirmed the playing XI for the upcoming Test match against Pakistan in Perth. The team made only one change from the Ashes finale in August at The Oval, with veteran offspinner Nathan Lyon returning to the side in place of Todd Murphy.

Following his match-winning performance in the World Cup 2023, Travis Head has been appointed as the co-vice captain, sharing the role with Steve Smith. However, in the absence of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith will be the first choice to take on the responsibilities.

David Warner To Open The Batting With Usman Khawaja

David Warner is set to open the batting, putting to rest speculation about his place in the team. The 37-year-old will retire after the final match of the series in Sydney if selected. Mitch Marsh is preferred over Cameron Green as a designated all-rounder in the side.

Key pace bowlers Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will reunite after guiding Australia to a World Cup victory last month. The wicketkeeper-batter, Alex Carey, makes a return to the team after being dropped from the playing XI in the recent marquee event.

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

Pakistan Tour of Australia Schedule

• 1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium
• 2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
• 3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

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