Cricket Australia (CA) announced their squads for Test and ODI matches against West Indies which will be played from January to February.
The two-match Test series begins at Adelaide Oval on January 17 where Australia will look to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 table after whitewashing Pakistan recently.
Steve Smith will open in red-ball cricket alongside Usman Khawaja since the opening spot was up for grabs after David Warner put an end to his red-ball career. Cameroon Green and Smith were the frontrunners but the 34-year-old was eventually selected.
“There were plenty within the team who were pretty keen to go on record and say that they weren’t keen to do it,” said selector George Bailey.
“So it was refreshing that Steve had come forward and said he wanted it and it was something that we’d been chatting about in the background as a selection panel with the coaches as well.
“It’s selfless that someone who has had so much success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order is open and willing and hungry to have a crack at something new and something different.”
CA also named the squad for the three-match ODI series which will begin on February 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Australia squad for first Test: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa
NRMA Insurance Test series v West Indies
Tour match: January 10-13, Karen Rolton Oval (10.30am AEDT)
First Test: January 17-21, Adelaide Oval (10.30am AEDT)
Second Test: January 25-29, Gabba (3pm AEDT)
West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua DaSilva, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Zachary McCaskie
Men’s Dettol ODI Series v West Indies
February 2: MCG, 2.30pm AEDT
February 4: SCG, 2.30pm AEDT
February 6: Manuka Oval, Canberra 2.30pm AEDT
Men’s Dettol T20I Series v West Indies
February 9: Blundstone Arena, Hobart 7.00pm AEDT
February 11: Adelaide Oval, 7pm AEDT
February 13: Perth Stadium, 7pm AEDT