Tag: West Test

Australia keep faith with David Warner for first Pakistan Test

Veteran opener David Warner kept his spot in Australia’s squad to face Pakistan in the first Test this month for what is expected to be his farewell series.

Warner was in scintillating white ball form at the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023, but he has scored just one Test century since early 2020 and averages only 28 since the 2019-2020 summer.

It has sparked questions about whether he should retain his place at the top of the order alongside Usman Khawaja, with the likes of Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw knocking on the door.

That trio will all play for the Prime Minister’s XI against Pakistan in a four-day red ball warm-up this week in Canberra, widely seen as an audition for Warner’s job.

“This group, led by Pat Cummins, has built a strong resume over an extended period,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said of the squad, which was named only for the Perth Test.

“We believe they have earned the opportunity to start in our first home Test match at the beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle.”

Australia will open the three-Test series against Pakistan in Perth on December 14, before the traditional Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then Sydney, beginning January 3.

David Warner, 37, has indicated he plans to quit the five-day game after the Test at his home Sydney Cricket Ground against Pakistan but continue in white ball cricket.

Australia also have Tests against the West Indies later in January at Adelaide and Brisbane.

“As ever, there will be opportunities in the short- to medium-term to break into this squad,” said Bailey.

“We look forward to seeing the continued strong performances from players who have been performing domestically, many of whom will get a tremendous opportunity in the PM’s XI fixture against Pakistan later this week.”

The only change for Perth from the team that started Australia’s last Test against England at the Oval in July is likely to be the return of fit-again spinner Nathan Lyon in place of Todd Murphy, who did not make the squad.

Lyon has 496 Test wickets and is on the verge of joining just seven other Test bowlers to breach the 500 mark, including fellow spin kings Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are again set to spearhead the pace attack with Scott Boland and firebrand Lance Morris — on the comeback from a back stress injury — waiting in the wings.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green were both included in the 14-men Australia squad to face Pakistan, but Marsh has moved ahead in the pecking order.

Australia squad for the first Test against Pakistan

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Lance Morris.

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Mitchell Marsh expresses excitement of participating in the West Test in Perth

Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh expressed his excitement to participate in the West Test against Pakistan at Perth, commencing on December 14.

During a media talk in Perth, Australia, Marsh shared his eagerness to play at the fast and bouncy pitch of Perth Stadium, where he has never played a Test match.

“This is the best wicket in the world. I haven’t played any Test match in Perth, but if I got selected, I would be super excited to feature in the West Test,” said Marsh.

“This pitch is fast and bouncy, this is what you want as a player which brings batter and bowler both an equal chance to contest,” he further added.

Mitchell Marsh also shared his joy for being part of the Australian team across all formats, stressing his consistent batting method over the past couple of years.

“I love being part of the Australian team, whatever the format it is. It’s an absolute pleasure to play for this team from the last few years. I think I have found my most consistent method of batting from the last couple of years,” he said.

Mitchell Marsh has recently played a crucial in Australia’s sixth World Cup title victory in India.

The 32-year-old allrounder amassed 441 runs in the tournament, including two centuries in ten outings at an average of 49.

Furthermore, after the West Test, the second Test match will be played in Melbourne, from 26 to 30 December, while Sydney will host the last game of the tour from 3 to 7 January 2024.

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First Pakistan vs Australia Test to be named as ‘West Test’

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced that the first Test match of the three-match Test series between Australia and Pakistan which is scheduled to be held at Perth Stadium will be named ‘The West Test’, inspired by WACA ground’s traditions.

The stadium which has a capacity of 60,000 seats will undergo a makeover for the “The West Test” just to bring some energy to the WACA ground, meanwhile, the four bays of seating will be temporarily removed which is branded as NRMA Insurance Test against Pakistan.

The three-tiered grassed area features three tiers and has the capacity of 500 spectators at a time on ‘The West Test Hill’.

The West Test Hill will include a family area with games for children and ample shaded seating spaces for fans to relax and enjoy the first Test match of the summer.

Additionally, the CommBank Women’s International Series Test match between Australia and South Africa will also carry The West Test name, creating continuity between the women’s and men’s game and Test cricket across the state’s two venues.

The Gabba has in the past featured a pool deck, and in recent years ‘The Boundary Social’ was a big hit in Melbourne and Sydney, and now WA is following suit with a new way for fans to enjoy the cricket.

Cricket Australia General Manager, Events & Operations Joel Morrison, said:

“International cricket in Perth has always been one of the great events of the Australian summer.

“The ‘West Test’ will take this to another level combining world-class action on the field with brilliant experiences for fans within the stadium, including on ‘The Hill’ thanks to the support of NRMA Insurance.

“The historic rivalry between Australia and Pakistan has been rekindled since our long-awaited tour to Pakistan last year so there is no better way to launch men’s international cricket this summer via the West Test in one of the world’s great cities.”

WA Cricket CEO, Christina Matthews, said:

“The West Test will give Western Australians something to be proud of – Women’s and Men’s Test matches that feel uniquely ours and showcase our brilliant stadia to the world.

The first step in the transformation of our Men’s Test is The Hill, providing WA cricket fans with a new way to experience Australia’s clash with Pakistan at our world class Perth Stadium.

“We look forward to working with CA and all partners in the game to continue developing The West Test event as we move towards series against India and England in coming years.”

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