In a surprising move, Australia on Wednesday named ICC ODI World Cup hero Travis Head as one of the vice-captains of the national Test cricket team which will take on visiting Pakistan in a three-match series, starting Thursday in Perth. The series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. (More Cricket News)
Head, 29, produced back-to-back match-winning performances in the semi-final (against South Africa) and final (against hosts India) in the recent Cricket World Cup, helping the Aussies win a record-extending sixth title. The middle-order batter's promotion to a leadership role reflects a trust in his abilities. He will share the vice-captaincy role along with batting great and former skipper Steve Smith.
The Pat Cummins-led team also featured usual suspects -- David Warner and Usman Khawaja as openers; Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, and Head in the middle order; while Mitchell Marsh has been preferred over Cameron Green for the role of the all-rounder; and Alex Carey will don the gloves.
The pace bowling department features an ensemble cast of Mitchell Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. The AUS vs PAK series opener at Perth Stadium will also mark the return of legendary Nathan Lyon. The veteran spinner replaced fellow tweaker Todd Murphy in the only change to the Australia XI that lost to England in the Ashes 2023 series finale at The Oval, London in July.
Visiting Pakistan have already warmed up for the keenly anticipated Test series with a high-scoring tour game against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.
Pakistan currently lead the ICC World Test Championship points table (two wins in two). Australia, who played five matches so far, are fifth with two wins, two defeats and one draw. The nine-team competition will conclude with a grand single-match finale at Lord's in June 2025.
Australia playing XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
The second AUS vs PAK Test match is scheduled to be played at MCG, Melbourne -- a Boxing Day affair. The tour concludes with the third Test at SCG, Sydney from January 3 to 7 early next year.
