Warner named in Australia squad for 1st Pakistan Test
Monday, 4 December 2023
SYDNEY, Dec 03 (AP): David Warner has been handed the chance of a hoped-for Sydney Cricket Ground farewell after being named in Australia's squad for the first of three home Tests against Pakistan.
The squad named Sunday, which includes the 37-year-old opener, is only for the first Test at Perth from December 14-19.
If he hold his place for the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on Boxing Day, Warner will be in line for his dream farewell on his home ground in Sydney from January 03 to 07. Warner's recent Test form has been mixed and he has averaged 28 in test matches since the summer of 2019 when he made a triple century against Pakistan at Adelaide. He has made clear his wish to end his Baggy Green career at Sydney while continuing to play for Australia in white ball cricket.
Warner will start the summer opening the batting with Usman Khawaja while opener candidates Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris will have a chance to stake their claims with the Prime Minister's XI which plays Pakistan at Canberra from December 06 to 09.
Fast bowler Lance Morris is closer to a test debut after being recalled to the 14-man squad. Cameron Green also returns after previously losing his test spot to Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey has been named wicketkeeper after losing that role at the recent one-day World Cup.