Pucovski headlines Australian squad for Sri Lanka test series

Australian selectors have named a 14-man squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, dropping Mitch and Shaun Marsh, as well as Aaron Finch and Peter Handscomb.

Will Pucovski headlines a revamped batting unit for the two-test series against Sri Lanka.

Of the ommissions, Peter Handscomb’s is most surprising, after he was recently brought back into the side for the fourth Test in Sydney. The selectors have called-up Queensland openers Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, and 20-year-old Will Pucovski in their places, with Marnus Labuschagne holding onto the all-rounder spot in the squad.

Pucovski will be the talking point up until the first ball is bowled, and beyond. With just eight first-class matches under his belt, he averages 49.00, and recently made 243 for Victoria against Western Australia. However, he failed to complete the match due to mental health reasons and has not played since. That incident followed a number of concussions which has plagued the prodigy.

After two-months of scrutiny around the make-up of the side from Test legends like Shane Warne and Mark Waugh, to just about every arm-chair critic, it is a surprise to now bring in a vulnerable player, albeit talented, into the squad. It has been a highly volatile period of Australian cricket, particularly for those selecting and selected, and with these two tests the final chance for batsmen to press their cases, it will be a high pressure situation for those selected.

The call up of Pucovski highlights the selectors’ vision for the future, particularly the Ashes later this year. By then, world class batsmen like David Warner and Steve Smith will join Usman Khawaja, with, most likely Marcus Harris who has been the rare bright spot in a weak batting performance for Australia in recent weeks. There will most likely be a further three spots up for grabs for batsman around the country and those who get their chance against Sri Lanka may just wrap up an Ashes berth. However, the selectors erred with caution to make changes to the bowling unit, with Peter Siddle retained as the spare pace-man, with Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins joining spinner Nathan Lyon in the squad. Some expected Victorian's Chris Tremain or James Pattinson to be included.

"There is no doubt the India series produced some disappointing results and we have now reviewed the squad ahead of the series against Sri Lanka," National selector Trevor Hohns said.

"Joe Burns has had strong performances in first-class cricket this season, and we believe he can contribute strongly if given the chance in the series.”

"Matt Renshaw is a player with the ability to make big scores, and at 22 years old has 10 first-class centuries. He also performed extremely well in England during the County season. We see him as a long-term prospect as a Test player and have confidence in his ability to bounce back following a string of low scores early in the Shield season.”

"Will Pucovski is an exciting young player who is making his mark in the Sheffield Shield. He is another player with a track record of making centuries. We look forward to him joining the squad and congratulate him on his first national call-up."

Burns, Renshaw and Pucovski will join another cricketing prodigy, and Ashes hopeful, Jason Sangha in the Cricket Australia XI side that will play a three three-day warm-up match against the Sri Lankans in Hobart. Burns will captain a team that includes Marnus Labuschange from the Test squad and Chris Tremain who was included in the expanded party at the start of the India series.

"Ultimately Aaron, Peter, Shaun and Mitch have not produced the performances expected of them with the bat at the Test level," Hohns said. "They have been given good opportunity, but have not produced the scores we need. All four are very good players, and the door is by no means closed for them to return to play Test cricket for Australia. Australian Squad Tim Paine (c) (wk) Marcus Harris Usman Khawaja Travis Head Marnus Labuschagne Joe Burns Matt Renshaw Will Pucovski Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Josh Hazlewood Peter Siddle Nathan Lyon