Cricket Australia announced the playing XI for the home team, for the first Test against Pakistan in Perth, on Wednesday. There were no real surprises in the team, except for the appointment of Steve Smith and Travis Head as the co vice-captains. Head’s elevation to the post suggests his growing stature in the Aussie cricket team, while Smith will be back in the leadership role after a while.
Nathan Lyon makes his way back into the team after missing the Ashes series final match at The Oval, due to a calf injury. He is their most-prolific bowler by a mile, and is on the cusp of 500 Test wickets, with just four scalps to go. He would be the only specialist spinner on the fast WACA track.
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David Warner & Usman Khawaja at the Top
It was a no-brainer that Warner and Khawaja were going to open in the Test, and as expected, they are in the playing XI for the same role. The middle-order will be strengthened by Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, and Head. Mitchell Marsh will take over the all-rounder duties and has been preferred over Cameron Green.
After being overlooked in the World Cup, Alex Carey would be back behind the wickets, taking over the responsibility from Josh Inglis. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood will be the fast-bowling trio.
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Australia playing XI against Pakistan:
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
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