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Australia have named their 12-man Test squad to play New Zealand in the first two games of a three-Test series, starting on Thursday at the Gabba.
Steve Smith will skipper a new-look squad, with David Warner announced as vice-captain.
The squad is a strong indication of the new look Australia. Four pace bowlers named include Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle, along with spinner Nathan Lyon, likely to miss out.
Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja have done enough to convince selectors to name them, and are the two new faces in a side that is also likely to see Adam Voges retained, with Mitchell Marsh to take up the duties as an all-rounder.
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It is an interesting time for Australian cricket, with plenty of debate in the lead-up to the series about who should take their spot in the order after the retirements of stalwarts Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris.
Burns is likely to partner Warner at opener, with Khawaja, Voges, and Marsh to take up the middle order batting spots.
It’s unclear which bowler will miss selection, but Peter Siddle would be the most likely of the candidates, despite his record at the Gabba which includes a hat-trick at the ground, during the 2010/11 Ashes.
Australian Test squad to play New Zealand in three-Test series
Steve Smith (c)
David Warner (vc)
Joe Burns
Josh Hazlewood
Usman Khawaja
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Lyon
Mitchell Marsh
Peter Nevill
Mitchell Starc
Peter Siddle
Adam Voges
Selector Rod Marsh said this was an exciting era for Australian cricket.
“We will need to play at our best to beat a very talented New Zealand side, but we think this squad has the goods to do it and also provides an opportunity for some exciting younger players to make their mark in the Test arena,” Marsh said.
Khawaja has not played a Test since August 2013 while Burns’ last innings was in January, where he made scores of 58 and 66 against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“Usman is a very good player of fast-bowling and is a fine technician; we feel he will make a really solid contribution towards our batting this series,” Marsh said.
“Joe thoroughly deserves his chance and was unlucky to miss out on the West Indies and Ashes tours off the back of two decent performances in his last Test match for Australia in Sydney.
“He also put in terrific performances during the recent Australia A Series in India .”
“Adam [Voges] is a calm player with a cool head and brings a lot of experience to the side. He has a solid Test and first-class average and will provide good support to our two young leaders in Steve Smith and David Warner.
“Mitchell provides good balance as the all-rounder and we believe he has a great future as a player for Australia.
“We are pleased with how our bowling unit is going at the moment. Both Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood had fantastic performances in the Matador Cup and Mitchell Johnson looks ready to fire after a decent break.
“Off the back of a great bowling performance in the last Test Peter Siddle earns his selection with Nathan Lyon, a proven performer in the side rounding out our attack.”
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