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Some talking points surrounding Australia's 14-man squad for the first Test against Pakistan starting November 21.
AUSTRALIAN TEST SQUAD TALKING POINTS
* DAVID WARNER HAS ANOTHER OPENING PARTNER
Joe Burns will open alongside Warner in the first Test. The Queenslander was dumped for the Ashes series despite making 180 in his last Test against Sri Lanka. Burns will be Warner's third opening partner in six Tests since Warner made his comeback from suspension after Cameron Bancroft and the axed Marcus Harris.
* HEAD START IN MIDDLE ORDER
Travis Head's inclusion indicates his favouritism for the middle order slot last occupied by allrounder Mitch Marsh in the fifth Ashes Test, who replaced Head for that Test. Marsh isn't in the squad for the Pakistan series so Head is set to return and bat number five - though Bancroft, considered a specialist opener, filled a middle-order role in the Australia A tour game against the Pakistanis.
* WHICH PACEMEN MISS OUT?
Five quicks are vying for three spots. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are locks, which leaves Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Michael Neser bidding to for the last fast bowling spot. Peter Siddle misses out on the squad despite featuring in the last Ashes Test, for which Starc was dropped. Left-armer Starc has a middling record in six Brisbane Tests - 25 wickets at 30.04.
