Alex Carey appointed Australia A skipper for the warm-up match against Pakistan

Alex Carey has been appointed Australia A skipper for the upcoming three-day warm-up match against Pakistan. The selectors have made it clear that the spots are up for grabs in the Test side for the upcoming two-match series. Australia is set to host Pakistan for three T20 Internationals and two Tests with the tour set to commence on October 31.

Carey, who is Australia‘s vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, put up some brilliant performances with his willow in World Cup 2019. He was in the reckoning to be picked for the Ashes but missed out narrowly. Joe Burns returns to Australia A side after getting snubbed from the Ashes squad and other batsmen that can attract selectors’ eyes are Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson and the rising star Will Pucovski.

National selectors in search of the batsman for the upcoming Test series

Trevor Hohns, the Australian selector feels that it is a great opportunity for the batters to perform. The selection committee will have a close eye on the proceedings in this match as well as on the upcoming rounds of the Sheffield Shield before picking the squad for the Test series against Pakistan. He also added that Alex Carey will have an opportunity to gain some more leadership experience while playing as a skipper for Australia A.

“We will closely monitor performances in this match as well as the coming rounds of the Sheffield Shield before deciding upon our squad for the two-Test series against Pakistan. This fixture represents an opportunity to provide Alex with more leadership experience and he will be supported by two experienced vice-captains in Usman Khawaja and Travis Head,” National selector said as quoted by Times of India.

Earlier, the former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting had made it clear that Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner are the only sure starters against Pakistan. Jhye Richardson, the Aussie quick, also marks his return to A side after missing the World Cup and Ashes due to a shoulder injury. The three-day warm-up game will commence on November 11 at the Perth Stadium.

Australia A squad: Alex Carey (c), Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Will Pucovski, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott, Riley Meredith.

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