Cricket Australia has announced a 14-man squad for the first Two tests against India, with the first match scheduled to be played at the Adelaide Oval from December 6. While Usman Khawaja has marked his return from injury, the team management has given a maiden call-up to Victoria opener Marcus Harris. Peter Handscomb, who wasn’t a part of the team against Pakistan, has also been recalled.
Harris earned a call-up to the national team and looks all set to don the baggy green for the first time on December 6 after putting an impressive performance in the Sheffield Shield. Having scored a 250-not out against New South Wales, Harris is averaging 87.40 this season and hence is in too hot a form for the selectors’ to ignore.
Khawaja, who was in the danger of missing out on the first Test against India, has been out of the team injured since the second Test against Pakistan in the UAE but is now ready to resume on-field action against the World No. 1 side.
Chris Tremain, who has taken 24 wickets at an average of 20.45 in the Sheffield Shield for Victoria, had made his ODI debut for Australia in 2016 and is now set to don the Baggy Green.
Australia will play four Tests against India, starting in Adelaide, then Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Australia squad for first two Tests against India:
Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh (vc), Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (c & wk), Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain, Peter Siddle
