7 PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN AUSTRALIA vs PAKISTAN TEST SERIES

David Warner has confirmed that he will be retiring from Test cricket after the series against Pakistan. However, the build-up to the series has not been very smooth for him in the wake of former teammate Mitchell Johnson’s open assault on him in a recent column...

- RENIN WILBEN

Australia are all set to take on Pakistan in a three-match Test series in December 2023-January 2024. The first Test of the series will be played at Perth Stadium from December 14 to December 18, while the second will be held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This will be the Boxing Day Test, which will be played from December 26 to December 30. The series will conclude with the New Year Test, which will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3 to January 7. Pakistan have played 37 Tests in Australia, but have only won four of them. In fact, their last Test win in Australia came way back in November-December 1995. As such, the hosts will begin the series as firm favourites, but with Pakistan, the unpredictability factor always remains. Here are seven players to watch out for in the series.

DAVID WARNER

David Warner has confirmed that he will be retiring from Test cricket after the series against Pakistan. However, the build-up to the series has not been very smooth for him in the wake of former teammate Mitchell Johnson’s open assault on him in a recent column. Warner has found some support amid the criticism. But the fact remains that his red ball form has been scratchy for more than a while now. Since the start of 2022, the left-handed batter has scored 936 runs in 20 Tests at an average of 26.74. He did smash a double hundred against South Africa in December 2022, but there has not been much joy for him otherwise. With all the criticism around his place in the Test team, Warner will be keen to prove a point for sure.

LANCE MORRIS