Pakistan vs Australia: David Warner, Pat Cummins Rested for ODI and T20I Series, Could Be Available for IPL 2022 Start

The Australia cricket team has named a 16-man squad for the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. The side contains some notable omissions from the side. The Australian cricket team will be without David Warner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Glenn Maxwell. This is an indication that most players, barring Maxwell could just make it to the start of IPL 2022. Maxwell has already stated that he will miss the Pakistan tour and start of IPL due to his wedding. Warner, Cummins, and Hazlewood have all been picked by sides in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction.

In addition to these names, Mitchell Starc and Matthew Wade have also not been named. Cricket Australia has categorically stated that they will not release their contracted players in the early stages of the IPL from the tour of Pakistan. But, this could suggest that the players might not miss too much of the IPL, considering that they are not in the ODIs.

Australia Face Uphill Task in Pakistan

With the absence of so many key players for the ODIs and T20Is, Australia could face an uphill task for the series. But, national selector George Bailey has stated that management of several multi-format players is essential.

Read – Glenn Maxwell to Miss Pakistan Tour due to his Wedding

“We have picked a talented and versatile squad with a number of challenges to juggle. This includes the tour structure of predominantly 50 over games. It also has the management of several multi-format players in the medium to long term, and our need to build experience and depth in preparation for two short-form World Cups within the next 18 months. We’re confident the squad can both compete successfully on this tour. It will continue our progress towards those crucial tournaments,” Bailey said in a statement.

With Wade out, Josh Inglis will be the backup keeper to Alex Carey. With Starc out of the ODI and T20I set-up, he will have an extended break as he is not part of the IPL.

Australia is embarking on a historic tour of Pakistan after 24 years. The current ICC World T20 champions will play three Tests, three ODIs, and one T20I. The Test matches will begin on March 4 and end on March 25. The ODIs will begin on March 29 and end on April 5. The tour will conclude with the one-off T20I in Rawalpindi on April 5.

Australia Squad for ODI and T20Is

Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Australia Tour of Pakistan Schedule