Australia add four standby players to squad for Pakistan Tests

George Bailey, chair of Australia's National Selection Panel, has added four players to the standby list for the three-match Test series against Pakistan, starting in Rawalpindi on March 4.

Bailey said that Matt Renshaw and  Nic Maddinson in batting and Sean Abbott and Mark Steketee in bowling had been kept as standbys if there's an illness or injury ahead of the month-long away series.

“We’ve got four guys on standby," Bailey said on SEN 1170 The Run Home on Wednesday. “That’s because of the risk of COVID and injury risk with some domestic cricket, plus these five internationals (T20s against Sri Lanka) over the next couple of weeks as well.

“Matt Renshaw and Nic Maddinson on the batting front I think are two guys that we’re really happy with how they’re going at the moment. We’re looking forward to them continuing their form over the next little period," said Bailey.

Renshaw and Maddinson have already donned the baggy greens, while the bowlers, Sean Abbott and Mark Steketee, are yet to play Test cricket.

“Sean Abbott and Mark Steketee on the bowling front," Bailey said. “They’ve both been around the Australian group at different times. Any of those four, when they do get their opportunity, I’m really confident they’ll do a great job."

It must be noted that Australia will play in Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. The squad was announced yesterday.

They retained 14 of the 15 players, who recently won the Ashes series, with pace bowler Jhye Richardson being the only exception. Besides, Ashton Agar, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Swepson have also been included.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Standby players: Matt Renshaw, Nic Maddinson, Sean Abbott, Mark Steketee