AUSTRALIAN SQUAD
DAVID WARNER Age: 33
Tests: 79 Batting average: 45.47
The opener endured a disastrous Ashes campaign in which he averaged 9.5. But some hot form in the T20 arena has boosted hopes he will produce the goods again on home soil.
JOE BURNS Age: 30
Tests: 16 Batting average: 40.1
Scored 180 in his most recent Test, in February, but has been forced to bide his time since. The failures of Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft has opened the door for Burns to partner Warner again.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE Age: 25 Tests: 9 Batting average: 37.53 Bowling stats: 10 wickets at 30
Thrived in the Ashes after being subbed in during the second Test for Steve Smith. Has become a rock since then and will be aiming to continue his strong form.
STEVE SMITH Age: 30
Tests: 68 Batting average: 64.56 Bowling stats: 17 wickets at 55.76
Produced some superhuman efforts in the Ashes and is by far Australia’s most important player. Is still desperate to win back the support of the public after the ball-tampering scandal.
CAMERON BANCROFT Age: 27 Tests: 10 Batting average: 26.23
The surprise pick of the 14-man squad after a poor Ashes campaign and a horrible start to the Sheffield Shield season. His fighting 49 against Pakistan in a warm-up game was enough to get him into the squad, but he is unlikely to make the final XI.
TRAVIS HEAD Age: 25
Tests: 12 Batting average: 42.70
Will be aiming to re-establish himself after losing his place at the tail-end of the Ashes. The middle-order batsman has a healthy Test average.
MATTHEW WADE Age: 31
Tests: 27 Batting average: 29.82
Only had two knocks of substance in the Ashes series, both centuries, and will need to produce the goods against Pakistan if he is to hold on to his place this summer. He worked so hard to get back into the Test side and he must now prove he deserves to stay there.
TIM PAINE (capt, wk) Age: 34 Tests: 26 Batting average: 31.45
Has been a great leader since the balltampering scandal but his batting is still questionable. Scored only his second firstclass century last month while playing for Tasmania and will be hoping to transfer that form into the Test arena.
PAT CUMMINS Age: 26
Tests: 25 Batting average: 18.15 Bowling stats: 123 wickets at 21.45
Made it through all five Ashes Tests and thrived in doing so, snaring 29 wickets at 19.62. Has overtaken Mitchell Starc as Australia’s most important paceman.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD Age: 28
Tests: 48 Batting average: 12.4 Bowling stats: 184 wickets at 26.57
The team’s Mr Reliable when it comes to pace options. Was surprisingly overlooked at the start of the Ashes but showed his worth with 20 wickets at 21.85.
NATHAN LYON Age: 31
Tests: 91 Batting average: 12.23 Bowling stats: 363 wickets at 32.3
Has established himself as one of the best spinners Australia has produced. Surprisingly has struggled against Pakistan, averaging 50.34 across seven Tests.
MITCHELL STARC Age: 29
Tests: 52 Batting average: 22.76 Bowling stats: 215 wickets at 28.26
Played only one Test during the Ashes. The left-armer has regained his mojo in recent months and looms as a major weapon.
JAMES PATTINSON Age: 29
Tests: 19 Batting average: 26.73 Bowling stats: 75 wickets at 26.64
Has been ruled out of the first Test after an on-field slur landed him a code of conduct ban. The right-arm paceman was solid during the Ashes but will have to rely on injuries or poor form to squeeze back in.
MICHAEL NESER Age: 29 Tests: 0
The right-arm paceman is a bit behind in the pecking order but his ability to post solid scores with the bat makes him a handy back-up option if selectors want the tail to run deeper.