Australia confirm the playing XI to feature in first Test against West Indies

Nov 29, 2022

Australia confirm the playing XI to feature in first Test against West Indies Image

The starting lineup for Australia's first Test match against the West Indies has been made official by skipper Pat Cummins.

The starting XI for the first Australian summer home Test features no significant surprises, with Cummins revealing one alteration from the squad that competed in the most recent Test match in Sri Lanka.

After Australia's demoralising loss to Sri Lanka in Galle in July, veteran seamer Josh Hazlewood is back in the lineup, replacing backup spinner Mitchell Swepson.

In that game, Swepson recorded stats of 3/103, however the 29-year-old was not included in the squad for the West Indies series because Australia went back to their normal lineup of three seamers and one spinner.

Veteran batsmen David Warner and Usman Khawaja continue to bat first for Australia, but left-hander Marcus Harris isn't chosen despite being recalled to the team for the series.

In order for Australia to have a chance of making it to the World Test Championship final the following year, they must win the series against the West Indies. Cummins' team currently leads the standings ahead of a busy schedule.

Following the series against the West Indies, Australia host South Africa for three Tests at the end of the year before embarking on a four-Test series in India that may decide their World Test Championship fortunes.

Australia XI to play West Indies: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon