Three debutants likely for Australia’s first Test against Pakistan
Australia is likely to field three debutants with the chance of a fourth when the tourists face Pakistan in the first Test in Dubai starting on Sunday.
Batsmen Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Finch and Travis Head are in line to be called up, while Michael Neser is up against veteran quick Peter Siddle for a place in the side.
The team drew a four-day game against Pakistan A on the ICC Academy Oval, with Australia scoring 4-494 declared and Pakistan all out for 278 before making 7-261 in the second innings before play was halted.
Coach Justin Langer was very happy with the preparation, saying the Australians had adapted well to the heat and had some good individual and collective results.
The one concern is over Matt Renshaw, who was hit on the helmet while fielding and was substituted with concussion for Labuschagne.
"I think Matt Renshaw's injury has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works," Langer said.
"We've got a few more days to have a good chat about it, we've got another couple of training sessions. Hopefully the team we put out for the first Test will be as strong as we can put out.
"I think Matt Renshaw will be physically fine, the problem he's got is he hasn't played much cricket.
"He went to the Australian A tour and got a hamstring strain, missed a fair bit of cricket on the tour … that's going to be the issue for him."
Labuschagne scored an unbeaten 39 in Australia's sole innings after standing in for Renshaw.
"I'll also say this … in the history of Australian cricket a lot of people take their opportunity [that comes] through injury," Langer said.
"I thought Marnus fielded brilliantly, looked really great with the bat yesterday, bowled a few overs of leggies.
"So he's certainly put a strong case forward for selection as well."
Finch, Head certain to start
While Labuschagne looks a likely starter, Finch and Head will definitely make their debuts on Sunday.
"There was never any doubt with those two with me, they were certainties to play," Langer said.
"Aaron Finch, I can't wait to see him play Test cricket. He's been great in white-ball cricket for the last couple of years, he's obviously got the temperament for international cricket.
"He's playing really well, and he's one of the leaders of our group. And Travis Head, his improvement over the … last six months has been absolutely amazing.
"Look at him now he looks like an AFL footy player, he's really fit, the way he's adapted his game and improved his game, particularly against spin.
"He's really impressed and he deserves to have a Baggy Green cap."
Nathan Lyon and Jon Holland will be providing the spin for Australia after the pair combined for 15 wickets against Pakistan A.
But the bowling battle for selection seems to be between Neser and Peter Siddle.
Langer said Bulls seam bowler Neser had done a good job in the match, with bowling figures of 0-29 and 1-30.
"And then we weigh up 211 Test wickets [for Siddle], and a guy who's bowling really well and a real professional," he said.
"He's a bit of a veteran, Sids, but with the role he can play and his experience, we've got to talk really seriously about that."
The question of how much help the bowlers will get from the Test wicket remains a live one.
"I think there were 21 wickets fell in four days, I hope it's not going to be that flat [for the Test]," Langer said.
"But to be fair it was what we expected here in Dubai — and a lot of the wickets you play in the subcontinent, they're very, very flat and then it happens very quickly towards the end of the game."
Langer did say that he didn't expect much grass on the wicket, and given that Pakistan possess some very good leg-spinners he expected the ball to turn.
Mitchell Marsh grabbed the headlines with a brilliant 162 and Head scored an unbeaten 90 in Australia's 4-494 (declared), while Finch made 54 and Labuschagne scored 39 not out.
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