I think it's more likely to be:I'm getting in early with my prediction for the first test against Pakistan:
Renshaw
Burns
Khawaja
Head
S Marsh
M Marsh
+* Paine
Neser
Starc
Lyon
Holland
---
Maxwell (12th)
Fight me.
Says he's based in Sydney and played grade cricket last year, but he's still an international player? I'm assuming that means his "loyalty" is still to Pakistan unlike Fawadhttps://www.cricket.com.au/news/usm...akistan-abdul-australia-voges-agar/2018-09-10
Qadir goes down Fawad's route to immigrate to play here.
He has to play as an overseas player because he's not eligible to play for Australia yet. He's pretty much decided that he's not going back to Pakistan already though (like two years ago I think, lol).Says he's based in Sydney and played grade cricket last year, but he's still an international player? I'm assuming that means his "loyalty" is still to Pakistan unlike Fawad
Excellent. Can't really blame him. I know it's Sydney, but still better than PakistanHe has to play as an overseas player because he's not eligible to play for Australia yet. He's pretty much decided that he's not going back to Pakistan already though (like two years ago I think, lol).
I think there's a good chance Khawaja will open given that not only has he been doing it on the A-tour, but it'd give him more of a chance to get set against pace. Not to say Pakistan can't open with spin if he opens, but it'd throw out their plans a bit if so, and it'd definitely shield him more than batting three or lower would.Clearly you have more faith in our selectors than I do. Considering how many times they have tried him up top before, wouldn't put it past the selection panel at all to try again.
This should be clear cut. Darsh can open but he's a middle order batsman first and foremost. Khawaja is basically a specialist Top 3 batsman. Add that Darsh can play spin and Khawaja kinda can't and....Yeah need to be eligible for Australia to be considered a local. I remember Michael Hogan was technically considered an overseas player for WA at Shield level, because he was playing County Cricket on a UK passport.
Would definitely prefer Khawaja at the top to Darsh myself