AUS vs PAK: Australia announce 13-member squad for Boxing Day Test

Australia have named a 13-member squad for the second Test against Pakistan, commencing from December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Pat Cummins-led side has omitted back-up fast bowler Lance Morris from the initial squad and are expected to play an unchanged XI in the Boxing Day Test.

George Bailey, Australia's chief selector, stated that Morris was released from the squad to take part in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) for Melbourne Stars. 

"Lance has been released for the Melbourne match but will stay prepared for Test cricket as he remains firmly in our plans for the summer, should an opportunity arise. Otherwise, the squad remains unchanged following the strong performance in Perth," Bailey said.

Meanwhile, the hosts took a 1-0 lead after outplaying the visitors, winning by a whopping 360 runs in the opening Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Ace opener David Warner smashed his 26th century in what is set to be his farewell Test series while premier spinner Nathan Lyon took his 500th wicket in the longest format of the game. Meanwhile, for Pakistan, debutant Aamer Jamal showcased exceptional bowling skills, as he claimed seven wickets in the first Test.

Warner has indicated that the third and final Test of the series, at Sydney Cricket Ground, will be his last. Notably, he faced criticism from former pacer and his ex-teammate Mitchell Johnson, who said that the southpaw does not deserve a farewell series due to his involvement in the Sandpapergate. Johnson also stated that he stands by what he said after Warner scored a brilliant 164.

“I think my opinion in this column a couple of weeks ago is still valid. He hadn’t scored runs in about three years apart from the double century last summer. Another point made was that a soft summer like this, with Australia expected to comfortably beat Pakistan and the West Indies, was the perfect time to look at blooding some new players into an ageing team,” Johnson wrote in the West Australian.

“David Warner’s century on the first day of the Australian Test summer was no great surprise in some ways. There was a big media spotlight on Warner and his form, and he seems to be at his most motivated when backed into a corner, and he generally saves his best for home soil.

“On day one, Warner rode his luck early on — and it could have gone either way — and you take that and he went on to make 164. He did what he was paid to do in the first innings before Saturday’s duck in the second innings. Warner may have denied he cares about criticism of his form, but it definitely does drive him as shown in his performance in the first innings,” he added.

Australia squad for Boxing Day Test against Pakistan:

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green