Australia name squad for New Zealand Test series

The West Australian will be on standby for what is otherwise an unchanged 13 man squad.

Cameron Bancroft will play for his state the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG which finishes two days before the first Test in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

Selectors have left Cameron Bancroft out of what is otherwise an unchanged 13 man squad for the three Test series against New Zealand.

The West Australian will be on standby, but will play for his state the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG which finishes two days before the first Test in Perth.

The Australian players who completed the second of two innings victories against Pakistan in Adelaide on Monday flew to their various home ports yesterday but will reassemble in Perth on Sunday.

Michael Neser will also play that first class round while James Pattinson, who was freed to play for Victoria’s recent drawn game against South Australia.

Pattinson managed only one wicket on a batsman friendly track in a game where both sides declared at six wickets down.

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“As we said prior to the Pakistan Series we are striving to maintain a core group of players. The performance of the team against Pakistan was very impressive across all areas, while there is always some room to improve,” Trevor Hohns said.

“David Warner has been in exceptional form with the bat. The support he received from Joe Burns in Brisbane and Marnus Labuschagne in Adelaide was exactly what we had been asking for from the top order. They delivered, setting up both matches in what was an outstanding all-round performance.

“We are backing the current batting line-up to continue their form across the next three Tests. Whilst not a part of this squad, Cameron Bancroft remains one of the standby players. Similarly, depending on conditions, we reserve the right to add a player to the squad at any time during the Series.

“Michael Neser and James Pattinson will continue as cover for Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood through the Series. Michael will play for Queensland against New South Wales in the Marsh Sheffield Shield game at the SCG, as James did last week for Victoria.”

Australia

Tim Paine (c) (Tasmania)

Joe Burns (Queensland)

Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)

Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)

Travis Head (vc) (South Australia)

Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)

Nathan Lyon (New South Wales)

Michael Neser (Queensland)

James Pattinson (Victoria)

Steven Smith (New South Wales)

Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)

Matthew Wade (Tasmania)

David Warner (New South Wales)