Cricket Australia (CA) has announced its squads for the Test and ODI matches against the West Indies, which will be played from January to February.
The two-match Test series begins at the Adelaide Oval on January 17. After whitewashing Pakistan recently, Australia will look to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 table.
Steve Smith will open alongside Usman Khawaja in Red Ball Cricket as David Warner looks to take over the starting spot after his Red Ball career ends. Cameron Greene and Smith were the frontrunners, but the 34-year-old was eventually chosen.
“There were a lot of people in the team who were quite keen to go on record and say they weren’t keen to do it,” selector George Bailey said.
“So it was refreshing that Steve came forward and said he wanted it and it was something we were talking about in the background as a selection panel with the coaches.
“It’s selfless that someone who has had so much success in one or two positions in the middle order is open and ready and hungry to do something new and different.”
CA has also announced the squad for the three-match ODI series that will begin on February 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Australia squad for the first test
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Greene, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marence Lebouchen, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
Australia ODI squad
Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Shaun Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardy, Josh Ingles, Marence Lebouchen, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhai Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa
Series Schedule
- 1st Test: 17-21 January @ Adelaide Oval
- Second Test: 25-29 January @ Brisbane Cricket Ground
- 1st ODI: February 2 @ Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Second ODI: February 4 @ Sydney Cricket Ground
- 3rd ODI: 6 February @ Manuka Oval, Canberra
