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Australia to rest Test stars for T20 series against Pakistan
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Australia to rest Test stars for T20 series against Pakistan

SYDNEY (AP) — Australia has omitted its entire first-choice Test squad for the upcoming Twenty20 series against Pakistan so it can prepare for a five-Test series against India starting later this month.

In a busy month of cricket, Australia will take on Pakistan in three one-day internationals starting November 4, which is immediately followed by the three-match T20 series starting in Brisbane on November 14.

The third and final T20 is in Hobart on November 18, just four days before the first Test against India in Perth.

Only T20 international Josh Inglis is considered an outside possibility to be named to fill the vacant opening batting slot for the first Test, with Nathan McSweeney and teenager Sam Konstas seemingly higher up the pecking order, alongside Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft.

Pace bowlers Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson have been recalled to the white-ball squad after recovering from injuries.

“This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket, so we look forward to them continuing to build on their international experience throughout this series,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said in a written statement on Monday.

“It’s especially encouraging to have Xavier, Spencer and Nathan back in the national organization.”

A captain to replace current Mitch Marsh has yet to be named. Inglis, Adam Zampa or Glenn Maxwell are seen as the most likely candidates to captain the three matches in Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart.

Pakistan named their T20 and ODI squads for his Australian tour on Sunday.

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Team Australia: Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

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Cricket AP: