Siddle banks on new blood

Australia ushered in a fresh era Tuesday by including five uncapped players in its first Test squad since the scandalplagued tour of South Africa early this year, while recalling veteran Peter Siddle.

With the disgraced Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all suspended for their roles in the ball-tampering row that sparked one of the worst crises cricket has faced in recent times, selectors had slim pickings.

Also missing for the two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month are injured fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, leaving Australia with one of its weakest Test squads in years.

Among the five debutants are Queensland trio Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett and Marnus Labuschagne, South Australia’s Travis Head and Victoria’s Aaron Finch.

“There has been significant change to our Test squad, due to the unavailability of a number of key players,” said selector Trevor Hohns.

“That said, we firmly believe the squad selected is up to the challenge ahead, and is capable of playing a brand of cricket that can perform well in this series against Pakistan.

“It’s a blend of experienced players who have a significant amount of either Test or firstclass cricket, and a number of younger players who we are confident are ready for the Test arena.”

Three top-order spots were left vacant by Smith, Warner and Bancroft’s absence. Opener Matt Renshaw, who was dumped ahead of the Ashes late last year but returned for the final Test in South Africa, fills one of them after a standout Sheffield Shield season.

The aggressive Finch, better known for his exploits in the

Australia have picked five uncapped players for its two-Test series against Pakistan next month

shorter form of the game, was also included and is tipped to open the batting with Renshaw.

In a relief for selectors, the experienced Shaun Marsh was declared fit after recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him to return home in July from a county cricket stint with Glamorgan.

A slimmed-down Usman Khawaja, all-rounder Mitch Marsh and either Head or Labuschagne should fill out the middle-order ranks.

Veteran Mitchell Starc will spearhead the bowling attack with either Neser or Doggett his potential new-ball partner. And there was a recall after two years for workhorse quick Siddle on the back of his red-hot form in England this year with Essex.

The first Test is in Dubai from October 7 with the second in Abu Dhabi from October 16. —