Aussies drop selection hint ahead of series-deciding Test

Left-armer Mitchell Starc looks set to play in the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan despite a short turnaround following the drawn match in Karachi.

Australia's bowlers have just four days to nurse their bodies before the third Test begins in Lahore on Monday after they sent down 171.4 overs in Pakistan's second innings in Karachi.

Starc, who produced a match-turning spell of reverse swing-bowling in Pakistan's first innings, bowled 21 overs in the second dig, while spinners Nathan Lyon and Mitch Swepson sent down more than 50 overs each.

Australia will be tempted to call on a refreshed Josh Hazlewood, who was overlooked for the second Test after they opted for a two-man spin attack, as they seek a breakthrough series win in Asia.

But a recall for Hazlewood or even Ashes hero Scott Boland may only materialise if conditions favour fast bowlers, with interim coach and selector Andrew McDonald indicating Starc will hold his spot alongside skipper Pat Cummins.

"My assumption is if he pulls up well, he’ll definitely get another crack in the last Test," McDonald said of Starc.

"We have four days (off). We'll have a light lead-in into the next Test match around our quicks, there is no doubt about that. We think we've really got some strong bench strength as well. We've got some options with the guys who haven't played and are well prepared."

Despite a lengthy stint in the field in Karachi, Starc's workload in the second Test of 34 overs is comparable to his efforts in the recent Ashes series, where he bowled an average of 31 overs per match and was the only quick to play all five Tests.

A return for Hazlewood will hinge on the surface at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with McDonald praising leg-spinner Swepson for his performance on debut despite him not taking a wicket in Pakistan's second innings.

"We'll look at the surface every time," McDonald said.

"When we get there we'll see how (Swepson) pulls up. He created opportunities for us and that's what leg-spinners can do. I thought he bowled well throughout the game and (it was an) impressive debut. He waited a long time for that debut and held his own. Incredibly positive first Test match from our point of view.

"We'll assess the conditions and try and make the right decisions around the best team for that surface. Does that include Mitch Swepson? We’ll have to wait and see when we land on the ground."

McDonald also defended Australia's bowling and tactics in Karachi, pointing to a handful of dropped catches as proof his side created enough chances to win the Test.

"I think the debate is around the opportunities that you create in Test matches," he said.

"On the fifth day on flat surfaces, we have created opportunities for ourselves and unfortunately haven't been able to take them. But if we keep putting yourself in those situations continually ... we have good confirmation that the style of cricket that we want to play is going to hold up.

"I think it's confirmation that the style of cricket that we set out to play in Pakistan will hold up. We said it was going to be a 15-day Test series (and) we're 10 days in.

"We gave ourselves a real good look at the last Test match. And you've got to do something extraordinary to get a look in I think that was built on the back of day three's bowling performance.

"It's to Pakistan's credit, especially the captain Babar having an incredible innings to deny us.

"Morale is very good and positive and we know what we need to do coming into the last Test match."

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. On standby: Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Renshaw

First Test: Match drawn

March 12-16: Match drawn

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

Pakistan ODI and T20 squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique*, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq*, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel*, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)

Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: Only T20I, Rawalpindi

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports