Pakistan vs Australia 2018: Aaron Finch Receives Maiden Test Call-Up, Peter Siddle Returns

Aaron Finch received his maiden Test call-up for Australia’s tour of Pakistan. Australia have also recalled fast-bowler Peter Siddle along with giving maiden calls to uncapped trio Marnus Labuschagne,  Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett.

Siddle played the last of his 62 Tests almost in 2016 and receive the recall after impressing for Essex in the County Championship. The right-arm pacer collected 37 wickets at 16 in seven four-day for the title-holders before getting a two-year deal from them.

With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the tour due to injury, Siddle along with pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and uncapped youngster Jhye Richardson will take care of the pace department.

On the other hand, Finch received his maiden Test call-up for his impressive showing in white-ball cricket. Finch scored 589 runs in England’s T20 blast (the most in the tournament) at an average of 147.25 (the highest in the tournament), with 31 sixes (the joint-most in the tournament) and a strike-rate of 182.35 (the highest among those with 300+ runs).

“Aaron is in sensational form, and this is the right time to give him a chance to play Test cricket,” selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement.

“He has performed well in the Sheffield Shield in recent seasons, and brings added experience and leadership to this group.

“”Peter is a proven performer in the Test arena, who has been in outstanding form in his recent first-class outings over in England. His experience will be crucial for this bowling group, and we know that he is a warrior who can bowl the type of long, tight spells which may be required in the conditions we expect to face,” he added.

With David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft out due to suspension, the onus will be on Finch to deliver the goods.

Glenn Maxwell is one of the biggest notable absentees from the squad. The hard-hitting batsman averaged more than 50 in the last season of the Sheffield Shield season and was part of a new-look squad Australia’s most recent Test, in Johannesburg in March.  Joe Burns and Peter Handscomb, who were both in the XI for the Johannesburg Test, have also been dropped.

“Joe, Peter and Glenn were players we discussed when selecting the batting group, but we had to take into account the conditions and competition we are set to face in the upcoming series,” Hohns said.

“All three remain on our radar for Test cricket, but we want them to perform for their states and continue to push their case ahead of what is going to be a big Australian summer,” he added.

Tim Paine will continue to lead the side. The first of two Tests begins in Dubai on October 7 before the second Test in Abu Dhabi starts on October 16.

Australia Test squad:

Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc.