Amidst tensions surrounding the availability of fringe Australia players, Lance Morris has been released from the Australia Test squad post the first Test against Pakistan in Perth. Despite anticipation for Morris’s Test debut, the return of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood from the ODI World Cup, coupled with Scott Boland’s reserve status, has led to Morris’s release for participation in the BBL. Scheduled for Perth Scorchers’ clash against Hobart Hurricanes on December 20 at Optus Stadium, Morris’s departure coincides with Boland remaining on standby for the second Test, rendering him unavailable for Melbourne Stars.
National selector George Bailey affirmed, “Lance has been released for the Melbourne match but will stay prepared for Test cricket as he remains firmly in our plans for the summer, should an opportunity arise.”
The tussle between Cricket Australia and BBL clubs over player availability remains evident. Brisbane Heat’s frustration over losing four players to the Prime Minister’s XI team prompted Michael Neser’s release from the XI to partake in Heat’s BBL opener against Stars. Melbourne Renegades coach David Saker expressed surprise over Boland’s absence in the BBL opener for the Stars.
Notably, Cameron Green, sans a BBL contract, stays with the squad as the 12th man, while Mitchell Marsh retains his spot as the incumbent allrounder, having earned Player of the Match in the opening Test against Pakistan.
In a separate move, Victoria included three Test players—Marcus Harris, Peter Handscomb, and Will Pucovski—in a two-day tour match against Pakistan at the Junction Oval in Melbourne ahead of the second Test. The Victoria XI comprises players without BBL deals, including the aforementioned trio.
The Australia squad for the Melbourne Test includes David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green, and Scott Boland.
