Australia remain unchanged for day-night Test against Pakistan

Series commences on December 15 with first match at Brisbane’s Gabba

MELBOURNE: Australia named an unchanged squad on Thursday for the first Test against Pakistan starting next week, which will be the first day-night Test held at Brisbane’s Gabba.

Steve Smith’s team, drastically overhauled following their series-losing second Test defeat by South Africa in Hobart, salvaged pride by beating the Proteas in the third Test in Adelaide by seven wickets.

The selectors made six changes for the Adelaide Test, but decided the squad that reversed the team's run of five Test successive defeats deserved another chance under lights in Brisbane.



“We were very pleased with how the team came together in Adelaide after some significant changes following the Tests in Perth and Hobart,” said chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns in a statement.

“This is a young group with a lot of promise and we believe all deserve their opportunity again in this upcoming Test,” he added.



Opening batsman Shaun Marsh was not considered as he recovers from a broken finger he sustained in the first Test against South Africa.

The first Test of the three-match series against Pakistan starts on December 15.

Squad

Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade.