After the first Test against Pakistan in Perth, Lance Morris has been released from the Australia Test squad to play in the BBL. The squad has been cut down to 13 for the upcoming Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Morris was expected to make his Test debut in Perth, but with the return of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland being held in reserve, Morris will be sent back to the BBL to play for Perth Scorchers against Hobart Hurricanes on December 20.
Boland remains unavailable for Melbourne Stars as he is the first bowling reserve for the second Test. National selector George Bailey said, “Lance has been released for the Melbourne match but will stay prepared for Test cricket as he remains firmly in our plans for the summer, should an opportunity arise.”
There have been some conflicts between Cricket Australia and BBL clubs over the availability of fringe Australia players. Brisbane Heat lost four players to the Prime Minister’s XI team for the first two matches, leading to frustration. Melbourne Renegades coach David Saker expressed surprise at Boland’s ruling out of the BBL opener for the Stars.
Cameron Green, who doesn’t have a BBL contract, will remain with the squad as the 12th man. Meanwhile, Victoria has named three Test players Marcus Harris, Peter Handscomb, and Will Pucovski to play in a two-day tour match against Pakistan at the Junction Oval in Melbourne before the second Test.
The Australia squad for the Melbourne Test includes David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green, and Scott Boland.