Australia have named an 18-man squad for their first Test tour of Pakistan in 24 years.
Pat Cummins’ team will attempt to put the Justin Langer saga behind them when the three-Test series starts in Rawalpindi on March 4.
They are preparing for every scenario given no current player was even close to professional cricket the last time Australia played a Test in Pakistan in 1998.
The XI that appeared in the final Ashes Test in Hobart, including Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja, have all been named.
Opener Marcus Harris, who was axed for Khawaja to end the series, has been given a reprieve.
Star quick Josh Hazlewood, who missed the final four Ashes Tests against England after suffering a niggling side injury, is among the selected bowlers.
WA allrounder Ashton Agar will tour as spin cover for Nathan Lyon, with Queensland legspinner Mitchell Swepson also included.
Agar played the last of his four Tests in Bangladesh back in 2017.
Explosive allrounder Glenn Maxwell, who has been previously used a subcontinent specialist, has not been named.
“This squad covers for all scenarios including the conditions given it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan,” chairman of selectors 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.”
There remains a possibility of changes to the squad with the Australian Cricketers’ Association bracing for players to pull out of the tour due to safety concerns.
“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,” ACA boss Todd Greenberg told SEN on Monday.
“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.”
Australia’s Test squad for tour of Pakistan
Pat Cummins (capt) (NSW), Ashton Agar (WA), Scott Boland (VIC), Alex Carey (SA), Cameron Green (WA), Marcus Harris (VIC), Josh Hazlewood (NSW), Travis Head (SA), Josh Inglis (WA), Usman Khawaja (QLD), Marnus Labuschagne (QLD), Nathan Lyon (NSW), Mitchell Marsh (WA), Michael Neser (QLD), Steve Smith (NSW), Mitchell Starc (NSW), Mitchell Swepson (QLD), David Warner (NSW).
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