Australia has made one change to its Test side with Nathan Lyon returning to the Aussie XI after missing the Fifth Ashes Test through injury.

Watch Australia v Pakistan on Kayo Sports. Every Test match Live with no ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Pakistan heads into the opening day of the series with expectations at an all-time low after a run of 14 consecutive Test defeats in Australia stretching back more than two decades.

The opening ball of the summer will be bowled at Optus Stadium from 1.20pm (AEDT).

10am — Travis Head given support to replace Cummins

Former Aussie cricket coach Darren Lehmann has endorsed Travis Head as an option to captain Australia this summer if Pat Cummins is injured.

Lehmann said on Thursday it’s likely Steve Smith would captain Australia if Cummins is injured this summer — but he says he would also support the idea of Head being fast-tracked to replace Cummins.

Lehmann told RSN Breakfast he believes Head would be up for the job if it landed in his lap.

Cummins on Wednesday also endorsed World Cup hero Head as a likely successor as Test captain.

“If something happens [to Cummins] this Summer, they would probably keep Steve Smith… but I’m not against them giving it straight to Trav,” the South Australian said.

While he was quick to point out there were no “imminent” changes looming to his position as captain, Cummins said it was the responsibility of the current leadership group to “future proof the team” and Head’s appointment was an important part of that with Smith’s long-term future unclear.

“Really excited to have Trav on board vas a co vice-captain,” Cummins said on Wednesday.

“While nothing is imminent, Steve (Smith) is not going to play forever, I dare say I’m not going to captain forever, so we feel like we have a responsibility to future proof the team and start trying to give opportunity to other leaders.”

10am – First Test overshadowed by Khawaja drama

Aussie opener Usman Khawaja has vowed to fight the ICC after cricket’s governing body banned his shoes.

The 36-year-old’s plans to highlight the plight of people in Gaza with a message on his shoes was banned on Wednesday night despite the batsman’s insistence it was a “humanitarian appeal” and not a political message.

During training this week the 36-year-old opening batsman had handwritten slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear.

“The ICC have told me that I can’t wear my shoes on the field because they believe it’s a political statement under their guidelines,” he said in a personal video message.

“I don’t believe it is so. It’s a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view, and their decision but I will fight it and seek to gain approval. Freedom is a human right, and all lives are equal. I will never stop believing that, whether you agree with me or not.”

He went on to say: “To me personally it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are.

“Let’s be honest about it. If me saying ‘all lives are equal’ has resulted in people being offended to the point where they are calling me up and telling me off, well isn’t that the bigger problem?”

Australian team for First Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.