Green, Harris, Renshaw, Bancroft named in PM's XI to face Pakistan
Written by I Dig SportsGreen had flagged his inclusion during the World Cup having not played any red-ball cricket since he lost his place in Australia's side for the final Test of the Ashes series. He remains behind Mitchell Marsh as Australia's first-choice Test allrounder but is eager to win back his place and is every chance to feature during the Test summer. Marsh experienced some soreness due to the increased bowling loads during the three Ashes Tests he played, having not bowled in first-class cricket in two years prior to the Ashes and having not played back-to-back first-class games full stop in four years.
There will be plenty of intrigue around the three openers that have been selected in Harris, Renshaw and Bancroft. It will be interesting to see who will bat at No. 3 as the trio have been opening for their states and are all vying for David Warner's Test spot once Warner steps away after the Pakistan series. The Prime Minister's XI match will be the last first-class game any of them will get to play before Australia's first Test against the West Indies in mid-January when a new opener is set to be selected.
Some BBL clubs will bear the brunt of such a strong squad being named. There had been discussions held over a number of months between various clubs and the selectors about how this fixture would impact BBL teams. Brisbane Heat are set to be the worst affected with Peirson, Neser, Renshaw and McSweeney all unavailable for their first two matches on December 7 and 9. But they will be hoping to have Test opener and skipper Usman Khawaja available to play prior to the first Test against Pakistan on December 14 in Perth although the Test squad is due to assemble on December 9.
Melbourne Stars will be without Webster and Steketee for their clash with Heat on the opening night while Sydney Sixers will be missing Murphy for their meeting with Melbourne Renegades on December 8. Lyon has already declared he is keen to play for Renegades that night at the SCG while the Sixers are hopeful Steven Smith will be available.
Prime Minister's XI: Nathan McSweeney (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster