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David Warner has been inked into Australia\u2019s team for the first Test against Pakistan in Perth next week after he was named in a 14-man squad alongside recalled fast bowler Lance Morris.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s selection panel of George Bailey, coach Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide still believe Warner is the best complementary opening partner for Usman Khawaja, the world\u2019s leading Test batter over the past two years.<\/p>\n
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David Warner and Usman Khawaja put on vital runs together at Lord\u2019s this year.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n That much was in evidence during the Ashes series, where Khawaja and Warner put together several vital opening stands, not least during the second Test at Lord\u2019s in difficult conditions for batting where Australia effectively sealed possession of the urn.<\/p>\n While Warner\u2019s returns over the past two years have been thin relative to his career average of close to 45, he still has scored his runs at a significantly higher tempo than the likes of Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw in the Sheffield Shield. All three have been named in the Prime Minister\u2019s XI to play Pakistan in Canberra this week.<\/p>\n \u201cThis group, led by Pat Cummins, has built a strong resume over an extended period,\u201d Bailey said. \u201cWe believe they have earned the opportunity to start in our first home Test match at the beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle.<\/p>\n \u201cThirteen members of the squad were part of the victorious World Test Championship and successful Ashes tours over the winter and Lance Morris has been recalled after recovering from his back injury over the same period.<\/p>\n \u201cAs ever, there will be opportunities in the short to medium term to break into this squad. We look forward to seeing the continued strong performances from players who have been performing domestically, many of whom will get a tremendous opportunity in the PM\u2019s XI fixture against Pakistan later this week.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green were both named in the squad, with Marsh expected to get first crack at the all-rounder\u2019s berth in Perth. Nathan Lyon is also back in the team after he suffered a torn calf at Lord\u2019s and missed the final three Ashes Tests \u2013 his absence was a major reason for England\u2019s recovery to draw the series 2-2.<\/p>\n Pakistan, led by the left-handed top order batter Shan Masood, have never won a Test series in Australia. Their four victories in Tests on these shores have come in Sydney in 1977, Melbourne in 1979 and 1981, and Sydney also in 1995.<\/p>\n Since then, however, Australia have won 14 consecutive matches against Pakistan on home soil, most recently in 2019.<\/p>\n