Swepson to debut as Australia confirm name XI for Karachi Test

Mar 11, 2022

Swepson to debut as Australia confirm name XI for Karachi Test Image

Mitchell Swepson will make his Test debut against Pakistan in the second Test match, beginning on 12 March in Karachi. 

With the Karachi surface expected to favour spin, Australia dropped Josh Hazlewood for Swepson. Australia will take field with a leg-spinner in a Test match for the first time since they included Bryce McGain, back in 2009. Swepson will be part of a two-pronged spin attack along with Nathan Lyon. 

'He's pumped and to be honest, we're all pumped for 'Swepo,' said Australian captain Pat Cummins. 'It's been a long time running drinks over the last couple of years, but he's absolutely ready. He's been a huge part of the squad, even though he hasn't been playing. So we're really excited to see him get a chance.'

In the first Test match, Australia's pace attack struggled to trouble Pakistan, picking just four wickets across two innings. Unlike Rawalpindi, the pitch at Karachi is a little bit drier and will assist the spinners.

Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cam Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson