SA Footy

Australia's white-ball depth will be tested next month with David Warner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc and Glenn Maxwell to all miss the limited-overs leg of their upcoming tour of Pakistan.

However, Cricket Australia will not be releasing its contracted stars to join the early stages of the Indian Premier League, with that tournament expected to overlap with the three ODIs and one-off T20, to be played in Rawalpindi from March 29.

Cummins, Warner and Hazlewood will all tour Pakistan for the three-Test series that starts next Friday in Rawalpinidi, and were all bought at this month's IPL 'mega auction' for deals in excess of A$1m, while Maxwell was retained on a A$2m contract.

As CA-contracted players, their annual leave period begins on April 6 – the day after the Pakistan tour concludes – and it is understood No Objection Certificates have been issued for all contracted players from that date.

The IPL schedule has not been confirmed but has widely been reported to be starting on the weekend of March 26-27, immediately following the third Pakistan-Australia Test in Lahore.

Starc, also in the Test squad, again opted out of the IPL auction for the fourth successive year and is estimated to have sacrificed about A$10m in potential earnings since last playing in the T20 tournament in 2015, while Maxwell has been granted leave from the Pakistan tour for his wedding.

Cricket Australia today named a "talented and versatile squad" that national selector George Bailey admitted had been difficult to pull together given the hectic schedule Australia faces, with a mid-year tour to Sri Lanka and home T20 World Cup looming.

Five members of the squad also have IPL deals, including Marcus Stoinis, who was picked up by new franchise Lucknow Super Giants for A$1.7m, and Mitch Marsh, who was bought for A$1.2m by the Delhi Capitals.

Sean Abbott was bought for A$446,000 by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Jason Behrendorff (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Nathan Ellis (Punjab Kings) were also snapped up at the IPL auction for A$139,000 each.

With no direct flights between Pakistan and India, it's understood those players will need a connecting flight via Dubai and will have to quarantine on arrival in India after the Pakistan series.

With only one T20 to be played on the tour, Matthew Wade will not make the trip to Pakistan. The 34-year-old Tasmanian is due for a return to the IPL this year after being bought by new franchise Gujurat Titans at the auction for A$446,000.

Wade's absence from the Pakistan tour opens the door for Josh Inglis to take the gloves for Australia for the first time following his impressive debut series against Sri Lanka. Alex Carey, who captained Australia in their most recent ODI campaign last year, is expected to take the gloves for the one-day portion of the tour.

Australian players not on a CA contract such as Riley Meredith and Daniel Sams will be free to link up with their IPL clubs after any state commitments are over, as will A$1.53 million man Tim David and fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile, neither of whom hold state contracts.

In Warner's absence, Ben McDermott looks set to continue his extended run as Aaron Finch's opening partner having opened in all five T20s against Sri Lanka, scoring a fifty in the opening match before scores of 18, 0, 9 and 3 in the following four games.

"We have picked a talented and versatile squad with a number of challenges to juggle, including the tour structure of predominantly 50 over games, management of several multi-format players in the medium to long term; and our need to build experience and depth in preparation for two short-form World Cups within the next 18 months," Bailey said in a statement.

"We're confident the squad can both compete successfully on this tour and continue our progress towards those crucial tournaments."

Arry Gablett wrote:this will be enjoyable to watch

great time slot on foxtel, get home from work for the start and watch till my normal bed time

laser wrote:Does anyone know if this is on free to air tv?

How can I watch or listen?

The tour of Pakistan will be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Fox Sports and Kayo subscription services. Fox/Kayo signed a deal that will see them broadcast all of Pakistan's home games until April 2023, at least.

Fox and Kayo coverage will take the feed provided by the local host broadcaster, PTV, but will have their own studio show, hosted by Isa Guha, before play and at lunch breaks.

Television commentary on the ground will feature former Australia players Michael Kasprowicz and Simon Katich as well as Pakistan legend Waqar Younis. Respected South African caller Mike Haysman will be joined by Pakistan's Bazid Khan and Urooj Mumtaz as well as Englishman Rob Key.

Radio commentary will be provided by SEN, which has a team on the ground in Pakistan, with Adam Collins leading the call along with Katich and Younis.

laser wrote:Cheers TDK, have just found ICC TV, which appears to have some form of subscription service. I’m sure to be set up by tomorrow arvo.

laser wrote:Cheers TDK, have just found ICC TV, which appears to have some form of subscription service. I’m sure to be set up by tomorrow arvo.

whufc wrote:Anyone surprised Boland is dropped for Hazelwood?

whufc wrote:Also interesting we play one spinner, Pakistan playing 3 spinners.

Armchair expert wrote:

whufc wrote:Also interesting we play one spinner, Pakistan playing 3 spinners.

Won't start turning until the 2nd innings just watch

locky801 wrote:

Armchair expert wrote:

whufc wrote:Also interesting we play one spinner, Pakistan playing 3 spinners.

Won't start turning until the 2nd innings just watch

is that the 2nd innings of the match, like when we bat