Uncapped Will Pucovski, Jhye Richardson added to Australia squad for Sri Lanka series
Australia have named their Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka that will begin from 24th January. Uncapped Victorian batsman Will Pucovski has earned his maiden call-up to the national side for the Sri Lanka series.
The selectors have also recalled Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns in the Test setup. Following a series defeat to India, the selectors have dropped Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh and Peter Handscomb from the squad due to poor show with the bat.
There are no major changes in the bowling department as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be preferred pace bowlers for the two-match series. Nathan Lyon is the only spin option included in the Test squad for series against Sri Lanka. The trio of Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw and Will Pucovski will also feature for Cricket Australia XI in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka in Hobart.
The 20-year old Pucovski grabbed the attention of selectors after he smashed 243 runs against Western Australia in a first-class game played in October. He has done consistently well in the previous game played in the competition. Trevor Hohns said that Pucovski is a promising player included in the Test squad following his string of good performances for his domestic side.
Opener Joe Burns has played 14 Test matches for Australia and last made a game for the national side in South Africa. Burns has done well and is currently averaging 47.20 with the bat in this year’s Sheffield Shield competition.
Left-handed batsman Matt Renshaw also makes his return to the side. The player was dropped from the side due to string of low scores in Test cricket. His inclusion is indicative of that selector what Renshaw as he proved to be good player of spin.
The opening game of the two-match test series will start in Brisbane from January 24.
Australia’s Test squad for Sri Lanka series: Tim Paine (captain &wk), Josh Hazlewood, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khuwaja, Will Pucovski, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
