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Australia will line up as expected in the first Test of the summer on Thursday against Pakistan, with coach Justin Langer all but confirming the XI two days out from the match.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Langer confirmed Cameron Bancroft and Michael Neser will be left on the sidelines on Thursday morning.
“We haven’t named the XI yet but I’d say those two will be 12th and 13th man,” he said.
That means Joe Burns will open the batting alongside David Warner, Travis Head will come into the side in the middle order, and Mitchell Starc will get the nod ahead of local Neser for the final bowler’s spot.
Neither of the omissions will come as any great surprise. Bancroft’s selection in the squad was eye-opening in itself, given his poor start to the domestic season, while the third paceman’s position had been considered a head-to-head tussle between Starc and James Pattinson – at least until the latter was issued a one-Test suspension for using abusive language in his last Sheffield Shield outing.
A Test debut for Neser might be more likely in the second match of the series in Adelaide next week, a day-night fixture which would be well-suited to his swing bowling skillset, particularly with just three days in between the matches.
Australian XI for first Test vs Pakistan
1. David Warner
2. Joe Burns
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Matthew Wade
7. Tim Paine (c, wk)
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood
The first Test will begin on Thursday morning at 11am (AEDT).