Cummins expects 'close to a full-strength' squad for Pakistan tour
The trip is expected to be approved by the CA board on Friday
AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff
03-Feb-2022
Pat Cummins said any player who does not wish tour will have full support • Getty Images
Australia remain confident a near full-strength squad will tour Pakistan with only a few players still holding security fears.
Cricket Australia's board is expected to approve its first tour to the country in 24 years on Friday, happy with the pre-trip security briefing.
There were suggestions as recently as last week there was trepidation from some players over the trip, after a reported recent rise in terror attacks.
But captain Pat Cummins on Thursday confirmed most players were comfortable with the tour going ahead, while understanding and accepting a few may not make the trip.
"I think we'll get close to a full-strength squad," Cummins said. "There is still a little bit of work to do. We have received a lot of information and it has been great. All the pre-tour security and biosecurity work has been done and it's been fantastic.
"There are a couple of players still keen to get a bit more information but everyone is really pumped and feeling relatively comfortable. If anyone doesn't make the tour it is absolutely okay, we will back them for sure."
Australia's players are scheduled to leave the country in a little over three weeks, ahead of the first Test in Karachi from March 3. Matches will follow in Rawalpindi and Lahore provided CA approves of the current schedule.
The tour will mark Australia's first overseas Test since the 2019 and is one three subcontinent tour which form their away series in the current World Test Championship. They are due to tour Sri Lanka in the middle of the year and then India in early 2023.
Cummins admitted he was unsure how selectors would squeeze down the Test XI, with Scott Boland making a case to keep his spot in the fast-bowling cartel.
Josh Hazlewood is also due back from injury, while Australia have already made the call to rest Jhye Richardson.
David Warner and Mitchell Marsh were rested from the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka with a view to the Pakistan tour.
Complicating the matter further is uncertainty around the resumption of the Sheffield Shield before the tour, with Western Australia's closed border threatening to leave them sidelined.
Selectors are also unsure whether to pick a squad for traditional spinning subcontinent wickets or greener decks, with Pakistan's best bowlers since returning home mostly quicks.
"I thought about it yesterday for the first time and thought that will be a tough decision," Cummins said. "They usually have a way of working themselves out.
"We'll have a squad of 15 who did really well in the Ashes. Crystal ball, I have no idea. I don't even know what the wickets are going to look like over there."