Australia are set to announce their squad on Sunday for the First Test against Pakistan and Mitchell Starc is likely to be unavailable due to a niggling injury from the World Cup.

His absence opens the door for Lance Morris to make his long-awaited Test debut on home turf in Perth against Pakistan.

The express pace bowler was part of the Australian squad throughout last year’s home summer but was unable to get a start in the star-studded line-up with Michael Neser and Scott Boland ahead of him in the pecking order.

But with Starc struggling to be fit after a hectic World Cup campaign, the “Wild Thing” is set to earn his first baggy green cap in the series opener at Optus Stadium on December 14.

Mitchell Marsh is tipped to retain the all-rounder spot ahead of Western Australian teammate Cameron Green, who scored 96 in the Sheffield Shield draw with Queensland last week.

Veteran opener David Warner is almost certain to keep his spot for his planned three-match swansong at Test level.

Nathan Lyon is ready to return as the spinner ahead of Todd Murphy after recovering from the calf tear which ended his Ashes campaign early.

Boland, Green and Starc are likely to round out the squad with a final decision to be made closer to the start of the match.

Likely squad: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (v-c), Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Lance Morris, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc.