Ahead of the much-anticipated four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, the Australian legend, Shane Warne picked Australia’s playing XI for the first pink-ball Test, which is scheduled to be commencing on December 17 in Adelaide. For the opening position, Warne picked a new pair of Matthew Wade and Marcus Harris.
Marcus Harris came in as the replacement of Will Pucovski in the Test squad, who sustained a concussion during the first practice game against Australia in Sydney and was hence ruled out of the first Test match against India. Shane reckons that Harris can be expected to be featured in the squad and management to open the innings as he had averaged 36 in his debut Test series against India in the 2018-19 season and had a good Sheffield Shield stint recently.
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Meanwhile, David Warner will also be missing the has also been ruled out of the marquee day-night Test as he suffered a groin injury while playing in the second ODI against the Men in Blue. As a replacement for Warner, the former Australian skipper went with the surprising choice of Matthew Wade instead of Joe Burns.
For the crucial slot of Number 3, Shane Warne feels Marnus Labuschagne can get a place ahead of Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Cameron Green as the middle-order of the hosts in the first Test. Warne chose Shaun Marsh, who was dropped from the team after a poor stint in the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy against India, where the hosts had suffered a historic defeat by 1-2.
Captain and wicketkeeper Tim Paine came next in Shane Warne’s XI while he picked a lethal bowling attack in the form of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.
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Shane Warne’s XI: Matthew Wade, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (c & wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
My test team for Adelaide now that Burns looks horribly out of form and injuries to Warner & young Pucovski. Fingers crossed Green will be ok @FoxCricket
Wade
Harris
Marnus
Smith
Head
Green
Paine (c)
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
HazlewoodS Marsh on standby if Green is out
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 13, 2020
