No Morris as Australia keep unchanged 13 for SCG Test
Scott Bailey |
Australia won’t blood speedster Lance Morris in the third Test against Pakistan, sticking with the same 13-man squad for Sydney.
Selectors confirmed on Sunday there would be no change from the group that won by 79 runs in Melbourne, as they pursue a 3-0 clean sweep of the series at the SCG starting on Wednesday.
It means Scott Boland stays in the extended squad as a fourth fast bowler, while allrounder Cameron Green also remains as part of the group.
Morris had been viewed as a chance to debut this summer, but if that is to happen it will need to be against West Indies after he was left to keep playing in the BBL.
Coach Andrew McDonald had indicated that his battery of fast bowlers pulled up well from the win at the MCG, with a four-day gap between Tests.
“At this stage they have got through well,” McDonald said on Saturday.
“As we sat down in the changeroom (on Friday), the feedback was good in terms of the bodies.
“In two days time, we’ll probably get a better handle on that.”
A bigger call does await for selectors in the next fortnight, with a decision to be made on the retiring David Warner’s replacement for the first Test against West Indies in Adelaide from January 17.
Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw lead the list of contending openers, while selectors have not ruled out bringing in Green to fill the role or moving another player up the order.
“The NSP have retained the same squad from Melbourne to Sydney as we look to clean sweep the Test series,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“We look forward to celebrating David Warner’s final Test match and his incredible career at his home ground.”
Australia’s 13-man squad for the Sydney Test: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
AAP
