Australia Playing XI 1st Test – PAK vs AUS LIVE: As predicted earlier, Usman Khawaja who shined with timely centuries against England in January is all set to open Australia’s innings with David Warner. According to reports coming in from Pakistan, Australia’s Ashes hero Scott Boland is likely to warm the bench in the 1st Test. The match starts at 10.30 AM IST Follow PAK vs AUS LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
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PAK vs AUS LIVE SCORE – 2 Spinners or 3 Quicks? For the first time under his brief tenure as Australian captain, Pat Cummins will leave it until the toss before revealing his XI to take on Pakistan.
Throughout the Ashes, Cummins had no issue with revealing who would be donning the baggy green.
But on Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years and with rain denying the team a final hit out on match eve, selectors will meet just before the match to determine their XI.
They will have one final inspection of the Rawalpindi deck on Friday, before settling on their XI.
The debate rests on whether to play a second spinner or stick with Nathan Lyon as the sole slow bowler alongside their world class trio of fast bowlers.
Should Australia go in with three specialist quicks as expected, it is more than likely that seasoned pro Josh Hazlewood will return ahead of the breakout star of the Ashes, Scott Boland.
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja to open with David Warner, no place for Ashes hero Scott Boland- Follow PAK vs AUS LIVE updates
- The likes of Nathan Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are expected to form the pace trio.
- Nathan Lyon could be the lone spinner of Australia might consider a couple of spinners with leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson drafted in the Australian squad.
- Meanwhile, left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar will also be vying for a place in the Playing XI.
- The likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head form the formidable middle-order.
- Allrounder Cameron Green, who impressed in the Ashes, will be keen to continue his exploits.
- Alex Carey is once again favourites to wear the gloves despite failing to leave a mark in the Ashes.
While Australia are coming on the back of a 4-0 victory in the Ashes, Pakistan remains undefeated in the last four Tests series including a victory against South Africa at home and draw against West Indies away from home.
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja to open with David Warner, no place for Ashes hero Scott Boland- Follow PAK vs AUS LIVE updates
Australia Playing XI
- David Warner
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Chris Green
- Alex Carey
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc/ Mitchell Swepson/ Ashton Agar
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood/ Swepson/ Agar
Australia Playing XI
Adam Gilchrist — Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Lyon, Hazlewood
Mark Waugh — Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Agar/Starc (depending on pitch), Cummins, Lyon, Hazlewood
The likes of Brendon Julian & Michael Vaughan have missed the likes of star pacer Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood respectively to create room for a second spinner in form of either Agar or Swepson.
Brendon Julian — Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Agar, Cummins, Hazlewood, Lyon
Michael Vaughan — Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Swepson, Lyon
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, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. On standby: Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Renshaw
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja to open with David Warner, no place for Ashes hero Scott Boland- Follow PAK vs AUS LIVE updates
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