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The Pat Cummins-led-Australian team, who is coming from a high of Ashes triumph, is all set to tour Pakistan with his 18-man squad. It was expected that some of Australia’s players might withdraw their names from this tour, but Cricket Australia has announced the full strength Test team. The command of the team is in the hands of Pat Cummins, while the vice-captain is Steve Smith. Ashton Agar has got a place in the team. Ashton Agar has not played a Test match since September 2017.
Meanwhile, there have been some shocking changes in the Test squad of the Australian team. During the Ashes series, Marcus Harris was replaced by Usman Khawaja, but Harris has found a place in the team for this series. Josh Hazlewood, who could not play the four Test matches of the Ashes series against England, has also returned to the team.
Jhye Richardson, who played one match during Austrlaia’s 4-0 Ashes triumph, will play in this month’s T20 series against Sri Lanka before being rested.
His omission opens the door to spinning all-rounder Ashton Agar, who is the single addition to Australia’s extended Test squad.
Agar has a spot on the plane along with fellow spinners Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson.
After a lot of hullabaloo post the Justin Langer's resignation as Australia head coach, Interim coach Andrew McDonald will take charge of the squad.
According to the agreement between Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Australian team after completing its isolation will reach Islamabad on a chartered flight on February 27, where after a day’s hotel room-isolation, the Australian team will practice at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Will be able Where the first Test match of the series is to be played from March 4.
“This squad covers for all scenarios including the conditions given it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan," National Selection Panel chair 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 added.
ACA boss Todd Greenberg said, “Clearly there’s some anxiety about touring, and that’s perfectly natural given an Australian cricket team hasn’t toured Pakistan for almost 25 years.”
“We may have one or two players that won’t be comfortable despite all of the advice and guidance that we provide, and that’s OK,” he added.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (Captain), Steve Smith (Vice captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson.
Schedule:
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
