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Australia ( Image Credit: Twitter)
In what comes as big news, Australia has finally announced their Test squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan. As expected, most of the superstars have been included in this 18-member squad. This three-match Test series is scheduled to start on March 4.
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This squad, more or less, contains the same players who recently went on to win the Ashes 2021-22 by 4-0, Ashton Agar has been included as well. It is to be noted that Australia have selected three spinners, them being Agar, Mitchell Swepson and Nathan Lyon.
The only notable omission is that of Jhye Richardson, who played the second Ashes Test match in Adelaide. However, despite not being in the best of form, Marcus Harris has held on to his spot. A few other notable incisions include the likes of Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis
"This squad covers for all scenarios including the conditions given it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan. 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," said Australia's chief selector George Bailey, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
This will be Australia's first tour to Pakistan since 1998. With them all set to play in the Asian nation after 24 years, Australian Cricketers' Association chief Todd Greenberg earlier spoke about the anxiety among the players. He also stated that this is a very important tour.
"Clearly there is some anxiety about touring which I think is perfectly natural given an Australian team hasn't toured Pakistan for almost 25 years. It's a very important tour. The players completely understand our contribution to the global game and we don't have an expectation that we can sit here and expect teams to tour our country and not contribute ourselves," said Todd Greenberg
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner