Australia have named uncapped duo Marcus Harris and Chris Tremain in their 14-member squad for the first two of the four-Test series against India. The hosts have also recalled Peter Handscomb who missed out on the series against Pakistan in UAE.
Opening batsman Harris has been in stunning form this season for Victoria. He has scored 437 runs at 87.50 in the JLT Sheffield Shield this summer including an unbeaten 250 against New South Wales last month,
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“Marcus Harris has forced his way into the squad after an impressive start to the Sheffield Shield campaign for Victoria, and in recent times has performed in high pressure matches, including Sheffield Shield finals,” said chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns. “Not only has he made plenty of runs, he’s displayed the mental application we believe is required to compete at Test cricket.”
On the other hand, Australia recalled Handscomb after his impressive displays in the domestic one-dayers. Recently, he also scored a century against South Australia.
“Peter Handscomb has been recalled after missing out on the tour to the UAE. He’s been one of Victoria’s most consistent performers with the bat through the JLT Cup and Sheffield Shield. He’s a well respected member of the dressing room, a calm head at the crease and has also played against India at Test level,” Hohns said.
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Usman Khawaja, who went knee surgery last month, is also in the squad. The left-handed batsman will lead Queensland in their Shield clash against Victoria next week. The domestic game will be the only competitive fixture for him before the first Test gets underway.
The duo of Travis Head and Aaron Finch are also in the squad. Both the players had made their debut during the Pakistan series, Shaun Marsh has also managed to retain his spot despite a disastrous outing against Pakistan.
Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood look set to take care of the pace-bowling department while Nathan Lyon will spearhead the spin attack. Tremain is likely to be used as a cover along with veteran Peter Siddle.
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Tremain is the JLT Sheffield Shield’s second leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets at 20.45 and can bowl at express pace.
“Chris Tremain has been performing consistently with the ball for Victoria,” said Hohns. “His form in the Sheffield Shield has seen him become the second highest wicket taker in the competition this season. He has also been a consistent wicket taker over the past two seasons, and thoroughly deserves his place in the squad.”
Australia and India are currently locked in a three-match T20I series. After the T20Is, the two teams will compete in a four-Test series. Adelaide opens the Test summer against India on December 6 in a blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The Perth Stadium will host its first Test match when India visit for the second Border-Gavaskar match, before the series moves back to Melbourne and Sydney for the traditional Boxing Day and New Year’s games respectively.
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Following the Tests, there will be three ODIs. Sydney Cricket Ground will host the first ODI on January 12. The long tour will conclude with the third ODI at MCG on January 18.
Australia squad for first-two Tests vs India:
Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood (VC), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh (VC), Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (C), Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain
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