Australia name squad for Pakistan Test series, Bancroft, Burns earn call-up

Cameron Bancroft and Joe Burns found a way back to the national side as Australia named their 14-man squad for the upcoming two Tests series against Pakistan. Bancroft was added as a late replacement for Nic Maddinson, who had pulled out of Australia A's game against Pakistan citing issues related to mental health. Along with vice-skipper David Warner and Joe Burns, Bancroft will be the third specialist opener for Australia. 

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Bancroft, Burns named in Australia's squad

Bancroft's addition to the Test squad was unprecedented as he was added as a late replacement after Victoria batsman Nic Maddinson recused himself from Australia A's game citing issues related to mental health. Despite a string of poor scores in the Sheffield Shield, Bancroft has been named in the Test squad, raising many eyebrows. Ashes revelation Marnus Labuschagne will be Australia's number three batsman followed by Steve Smith. Travis Head will regain his place in the side after Will Pucovski decided to take a break due to issues related to mental health. A fiery pace attack has been included by the selectors featuring the likes of James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and uncapped Michael Nasser. Openers Marcus Harris & Usman Khwaja, and pacer Peter Siddle were left out by the selectors. 

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Squads

Australia squad – Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head (vc), Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Pakistan squad: Azhar Ali (c), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan Snr, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah.

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'What Glenn has done is remarkable'

Cricket Australia Team Psychologist Dr. Michael Lloyd had said that Maxwell had been experiencing some difficulties with regards to his mental health. As a result, he was going to spend some time away from the game. He added that Maxwell was proactive in identifying these issues and engaging with support staff. Further highlighting the importance of the same, Kohli said that a player should be looked after especially when you are playing at an international stage. He then praised Maxwell and said that what he as done is remarkable and it sets the right example for other players.

"If you think that a player is important enough for the team or for Indian cricket to go forward, I think they should be looked after. When you are at the international stage, every player needs that communication and the ability to speak out. I feel what Glenn has done is remarkable. And it sets a right example for cricketers all over the world that if you are not in the best frame of mind, You try and try but as human beings you reach a tipping point at some stage or the other."

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