Clarke questions Australia's Test squad selection for Pakistan series

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has questioned national selectors’ decision to pick Marcus Harris for Australia’s Test tour of Pakistan after the opener was dropped in the last Ashes Test.

Usman Khawaja was promoted up the order while Travis Head filled the void in the middle order in the Hobart Test. 

Meanwhile, Haris is picked in Australia’s 18-man squad to tour Pakistan next month as a back-up opener.

“Where is he going to bat?” Clarke said on Big Sports Breakfast. “You’re not going to open with him. Khawaja is going to," Clarke voiced his concern.

“You’re only going to take one spare batsman. You’re not going to take an opening batter as your spare batter, that makes no sense to me at all.”

Clarke believes that if Khawaja is Australia’s No.1 choice to open the batting alongside Warner, there needs to be another middle-order option instead of an opener.

“If Uzzie is opening the batting now, I’d be selecting my spare batter as someone that is very good against spin bowling,” Clarke added.

It must be noted that yesterday Australia announced full-strength squad for the Pakistan Tests, starting from March 4 in Rawalpindi. 

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