IT COMES DOWN TO A SHOOTOUT
Head a chance but needs runs
TRAVIS Head will look to secure a place in Australia’s Test team in a tour match against Pakistan starting today that will double as a national selection shootout.
Head leads a crowded field of Test candidates who will line up for Australia A in the three-day match at Perth Stadium. Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns and Will Pucovski will also front up for the day-night clash which precedes the first Test starting on November 21 at the Gabba.
Nic Maddinson had been set to join them but has withdrawn on mental health grounds, with Cameron Bancroft his replacement.
Head was Australia’s vicecaptain during the Ashes but that did not spare him from being axed for the deciding fifth Test at The Oval.
The left-hander’s century against a Josh Hazlewood-led NSW attack in the last Sheffield Shield round has put him in the box seat to edge out talented youngster Pucovski and fill the middle-order vacancy in Australia’s Test side.
National coach Justin Langer and chief selector Trevor Hohns will sit down on Wednesday to pick their squad for the Gabba, with Harris, Khawaja and Burns competing to open the batting alongside David Warner.
“We won’t just pick it on current form. That’s important to realise,” Langer said.
“Current form is important, what guys have done in the past over their careers is important, what they’ve done in the last six months is important. You saw with the way we selected this T20 side ... we’re getting really specific about the sort of players we want.
“A lot of it selects itself but there’ll be a couple of spots up for grabs, I reckon. And it’ll be a tough call because there’s a lot of talent in Australia.”
Warner will miss NSW’s Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia starting today at the SCG to be with his unwell daughter.
Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon will line up for the Blues.
Marnus Labuschagne will tune up for the first Test in Queensland’s clash with Victoria. Skipper Tim Paine and fellow Tasmanian Matthew Wade are the other Test incumbents.
Pakistan has brought a youthful pace attack to Australia, including 16-year-old Naseem Shah and 19-year-old Muhammad Musa.
Musa clocked 147km/h on international debut during Friday’s T20 decider in Perth.
“It’s going to be a good experience for the youngsters who have come in,” veteran Pakistan quick Wahab Riaz said.
“Obviously we know that Australian players are good hookers and pullers of the ball and they play the cut shot really well.
“So bowling within the stumps and pitching the ball a little bit more up is more effective to them.”