'No sense': Michael Clarke rips selectors over controversial call

Former test captain Michael Clarke has taken aim at Aussie selectors after Marcus Harris was picked as the backup batter for the first Tour of Pakistan in 24 years.

Looking to put the Justin Langer coaching saga behind them, Pat Cummins will lead an 18-man Tour when the three-Test series starts in Rawalpindi on March 4.

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Everyone included in the final Ashes test will Tour.

The squad will also include star quick Josh Hazlewood, who missed the final four Ashes Tests against England after suffering a niggling side injury, is among the selected bowlers.

WA allrounder Ashton Agar will tour as spin cover for Nathan Lyon, with Queensland legspinner Mitchell Swepson also included.

Dropped Ashes opener Marcus Harris has also been selected as the backup batter.

However, Harris' inclusion confused former captain Clarke.

Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast, Clarke ripped the selectors for picking an opening batter as the backup in case of injury.

“Where is he going to bat?” Clarke said

“You’re not going to open with him. Khawaja is going to.

“You’re only going to take one spare batsman. You’re not going to take an opening batter as your spare batter, that makes no sense to me at all.”

Selectors could be looking at Khawaja as the alternate if someone gets injured in the middle order due to his versatility.

Regardless, Clarke said if Khawaja is going to open with David Warner at the top a middle order batter needs to be picked.

“If Uzzie is opening the batting now, I’d be selecting my spare batter as someone that is very good against spin bowling,” Clarke said.

Australian selector George Bailey justifies squad

Explosive allrounder Glenn Maxwell, who has been previously used a subcontinent specialist, was not named in the squad.

"This squad covers for all scenarios including the conditions given it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan," chairman of selectors George Bailey said.

"With several subcontinent tours and a one-day World Cup in India on the near horizon this is a great first up challenge for the group after the successful home Ashes Series.

"It's also a very historic tour given the length of time since an Australian side last toured Pakistan."

There remains a possibility of changes to the squad with the Australian Cricketers' Association bracing for players to pull out of the tour due to safety concerns.

"Clearly there's some anxiety about touring, and that's perfectly natural given an Australian cricket team hasn't toured Pakistan for almost 25 years," ACA boss Todd Greenberg told SEN on Monday.

"We may have one or two players that won't be comfortable despite all of the advice and guidance that we provide, and that's OK."

Australia's Test squad for tour of Pakistan: Pat Cummins (capt) (NSW), Ashton Agar (WA), Scott Boland (VIC), Alex Carey (SA), Cameron Green (WA), Marcus Harris (VIC), Josh Hazlewood (NSW), Travis Head (SA), Josh Inglis (WA), Usman Khawaja (QLD), Marnus Labuschagne (QLD), Nathan Lyon (NSW), Mitchell Marsh (WA), Michael Neser (QLD), Steve Smith (NSW), Mitchell Starc (NSW), Mitchell Swepson (QLD), David Warner (NSW).

with AAP

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