Ashton Agar has been named as the third spinner in a full-strength Australia squad for their upcoming tour of Pakistan. Agar, who played his last Test match in September 2017, joins Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson in the 18-member squad as Australia bolstered their spin options due to subcontinent conditions.
There are no major surprises in the squad after Australia's 4-0 Ashes 2021/22 win. Marcus Harris, who had lost his opening spot to Usman Khawaja in Hobart during the Ashes, was retained, while Josh Hazlewood has recovered from a side injury to make the cut.
Besides Cam Green, Australia also picked Mitchell Marsh as another all-rounder to the squad. Josh Inglis is the second wicketkeeper in the squad, after Alex Carey.
As announced already, Andrew McDonald will be the interim head coach on the tour in the aftermath of Justin Langer's resignation.
‘This squad covers for all scenarios including the conditions given it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan,’ said national selector George Bailey.
The first of the three-match Test series will begin on 4 March at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Then they will play three ODIs and a T20I from 29 March.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steven Smith (vc), Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, David Warner, Marcus Harris, Cam Green, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland.