The Australian squad selected for the two-Test series in India shows two surprises: the inclusion of out-of-form Marcus North and the exclusion of talented young batsman, Usman Khawaja. The dropping of Pakistan-born NSW batsman Khawaja is disappointing because he was not given an opportunity on the recent tour of England.
Perhaps he will be picked for the one-day internationals following the Test series.
Here is the 15-man Test squad led by Ricky Ponting with Michael Clarke as the vice-captain.
Specialist batsmen: Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes and Shane Watson as openers – all from NSW, Ponting (Tasmania), Clarke (NSW), Michael Hussey and North (WA).
Fast to fast-medium bowlers: Mitchell Johnson (WA), Ben Hilfenhaus (Tas), Doug Bollinger and Josh Hazlewood (NSW) and Peter George (SA).
Spinners: Nathan Hauritz and Steven Smith (NSW).
Wicket-keeper batsman: Tim Paine (Tas).
North, Clarke and Katich are useful spinners, Watson can bowl medium-pace, and Johnson can bat.
So it is a well-balanced side, but one wishes that David Hussey from Victoria or Khawaja was selected ahead of North.
It is interesting that eight out of 15 (53.33%) are from NSW, three each from Tasmania and WA, and one from SA. Surprisingly, not one player from Victoria or Queensland is in the squad.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said: “While the excitement builds for the forthcoming Vodafone Ashes, the immediate focus for this squad is the Test series against India.
“India is ranked number one in Test cricket and there is no harder assignment in Test cricket at the moment than playing India on their home soil. The Australian squad is really looking forward to the challenge.”
When will no.1 wicket-keeper Brad Haddin be available?
“He is making good progress with rehabilitation of his elbow tendon injury. He is on track to be available for club cricket and for NSW with the possibility of being available for selection in the India or Sri Lanka One-day International series”, said Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.
How will the selected team fare in India?
India has the home advantage as shown by the figures below:
Australia has won 22 and lost only 5 of the 36 Tests played against India in Australia. But India leads 13-12 in India. Ponting’s men will have to win both the Tests in India this October to have a 14-13 lead on Indian soil.
Ponting also has contrasting batting figures home and away. In Australia he has an imposing average of 79.35 in 11 Tests against India. But he has a poor average of 20.85 in 12 Tests in India.
Overall, he has scored 1787 runs at 47.02 in 23 Tests against India.
Thus he needs 213 runs to become the first Australian to score 2000 runs against India. So far Matthew Hayden leads with 1888 runs at 59.00 in 18 Tests against India.
An important landmark will be reached in this series.
India’s Rahul Dravid requires four catches to become the only non wicket-keeper to take 200 catches in Test annals. So far he has held 196 in 142 Tests. Next best are Mark Waugh, 181 in 128 Tests and Ponting 172 in 146.
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David said | September 3rd 2010 @ 8:33am | Report comment
I’m happy with the squad but i agree Khawaja should have had North’s spot. I really hope this is his last chance…..
Fisher Price said | September 3rd 2010 @ 9:06am | Report comment
No Khawaja – ridiculous.
Ponting’s faltering in-club reigns on.
Neither Hussey or North should be in the squad, and Ponting should not be anywhere near the top 4. But, hey, Australia wins every Test it plays (in the heads of some).
formeropenside said | September 3rd 2010 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
No Cutting or Hartley? Pretty poor selection going on there. Smith as a spinner? Good luck.
Brian said | September 3rd 2010 @ 4:36pm | Report comment
The plethora of fast bowlers suggests the Ashes are more important than the tour. The top 4 looks good which is crucial in India because its harder to bat at 5 & 6 against the spinners than opening up against the new ball.
The problem will be getting 20 wickets. Its really hard to see the spinners troubling their top 7 much. The fast man will need to take great advantage when the conditions suit, otherwise only one team will have the ability to take the 20 wickets
Kersi Meher-Homji said | September 3rd 2010 @ 6:59pm | Report comment
India’s bowling attack is not Test-class either.
I predict a run-rich series unless pitches are under-prepared.
I have a feeling Steven Smith will be the success of the tour as an all-rounder.
Lolly said | September 3rd 2010 @ 10:00pm | Report comment
After what Hilditch came out and said about him, why would anyone be surprised that North’s spot is nailed on?
Will said | September 3rd 2010 @ 10:30pm | Report comment
Im not sure about you blokes, but I reckon Australia should fancy their chances in this contest. It’s a short series, so that favours Australia IMO because chance will play a part. The toss will be crucial – it always is in India.
Players like Watson and Johnson have played in India before with the SG ball. Watson will get that ball reversing, as will Johnson and Bollinger. That will be Australia’s weapon.
I honestly think Australia are a chance in this series, but maybe that’s just me.
Kersi Meher-Homji said | September 3rd 2010 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
It will be a thrilling series. India has the home advantage and Virender Sehwag is in cracking form.
Harbhajan Singh bowls with venom when the opponents are Australians.
Sachin Tendulkar is on verge of two milestones:
He requires two centuries to become the only one to hit 50 Test hundreds. Next best is Ponting with 39.
Sachin also needs 163 runs to become the only player to top 14,000 runs. He has scored 13,837 at 56.02 in 169 Tests. No one has reached 13,000; Ponting being the next best with 12,026 at 54.66.
Lolly said | September 4th 2010 @ 5:05am | Report comment
Kersi, I would be very surprised if Usman Khawaja is considered an ODI player at all. With Shaun Marsh and Callum Ferguson queuing up, he would be a fair way behind them.
He has written an amusing blog article for CA. He sounds like a bright lad.
Fisher Price said | September 5th 2010 @ 11:20am | Report comment
Bright? Well Ponting won’t want him then. I mean, Khawaja might read books or something.
sheek said | September 4th 2010 @ 8:42am | Report comment
Sorry Kersi,
Nothing to add at the moment.