Australia vs Pakistan | Mark Waugh weighs in ahead of the First Test

Former selector Mark Waugh was staggered this star still has a seat at the table while naming the player he believes was overlooked.

Australia has already found itself under a hot spotlight before the first over of the red ball summer after a questionable decision to reinstate former opener Cameron Bancroft into the squad for the first Test at the Gabba.

The struggling West Australian, who has averaged just 11.40 in Sheffield Shield this season, replaced the more experienced Usman Khawaja as an extra batsman for the Queensland opener against Pakistan.

Coach Justin Langer said he’d rather see Khawaja — a longtime number three for the baggy green — finding form domestically than in camp as an extra with Australia.

Meanwhile, former Aussie batsman and selector Mark Waugh couldn’t find an answer as to why the home side picked a player averaging a hair over double digits this season.

“It’s very surprising he made the squad for the first Test,” he said. “You’ve, got to say, he’s lucky. He’s been out of form in the Shield season, and he looked out of nick against England this year.

“He was picked last year when he was in form and he’s a tough kid, good mindset and he works hard, all those things. But at the end of the day his technique needs to improve a lot for him to stand up.

‘At the end of the day, his technique needs to improve a lot for him to stand up.’

“But to be honest, the guys who were in the running for this first Test, none of them have made any runs. Joe Burns has got in after making no runs and because Marcus Harris has failed in recent times.”

Waugh said the Aussies overlooked rising NSW star Daniel Hughes for a spot next to David Warner against the new ball. “He should have really been thought about at the top, but he’s on the periphery,” Waugh said.

Hughes has made 254 runs at an average of 42.33 in Shield cricket this summer.

FLETCH ON SMITH’S FUTURE

He’s back for another year.

Cameron Smith has once again proven his mettle as one of Australia’s finest athletes, confirming he’ll be staying on for the Storm for yet another season.

The legendary hooker has miraculously remained injury-free for the bulk of his career, but we may be seeing the 36-year-old in a different light come round one.

Whispers the veteran skipper will be moving to halfback to lighten his tackle load for the season have begun to circle — but former NSW great Bryan Fletcher says a move to the No. 7 jumper would be nonsense.

“There’s no doubt he could handle it,” Fletcher said. “And I suppose he’d be defending on an edge, so he’s not going to have to make 50 tackles a game which he usually does. But you don’t move the greatest hooker of all time into number seven.”

Smith said he was satisfied he was physically up for another season but needed to make sure he was primed mentally after the Storm’s disappointing finals exit in 2019.

“I was pleased with most parts of my game last year although my form was never going to be the deciding factor — it was moreabout the want to go on and having to play another 25 rounds,” he said.

“But I’ve always said that as long as I’m performing well and the coaches and teammates believe that I’m contributing then I’d like to play on as long as I can.”