Australia squad for the Test tour of South Africa
Australia have announced their squad for the upcoming Test tour of South Africa:
Cricket Australia has announced a 19-man squad for a mooted three-Test tour of South Africa, which could prove pivotal in the race to the ICC World Test Championship Final.
The dates for the tour are yet to be finalized, which is subject to satisfactory bio-security arrangements. If given the green light, Australia will travel to South Africa for a three-match Test series.
It will be their first visit to the country since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Coming off the back of a 2-1 Test series loss to India, Australia have dropped Matthew Wade from their squad after the veteran made just 123 runs at an average of 21.62 across the four Tests.
Australia slipped to third place on the World Test Championship standings after their loss to India in the final Test at Brisbane.
Australia have dropped Matthew Wade from the Test squad, following his poor performances against India.
It opens up the opportunity for Travis Head to return to the side. Alex Carey, Sean Abbott, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, and Mark Steketee are the five uncapped players in the squad.
AUSTRALIA TEST SQUAD:
Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
Tim Paine was excellent at No.7 against India and as a batsman, wicket-keeper and captain still has much to offer in the Test arena.