Australia has named its’ squad for a four-Test series in February in India, where it will hope to be victorious for the first time since 2004.
The 16-man squad includes Test a number of Test regulars including the key members of Australia’s new-look batting line-up, Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw.
However, we are no closer to knowing whether Renshaw or Shaun Marsh will be the selectors’ preferred opening partner for David Warner, with both selected.
“Shaun is proven in sub-continent conditions and is coming off a hundred in his last Test match in Sri Lanka. He is a very versatile batsman who can slot in at the top or the middle of the order,” said Interim National Selector Trevor Hohns.
Nathan ‘Nice, Garry’ Lyon has retained his spot in the squad at least though there will continue to be questions asked over whether or not he should be a first-choice player in the XI.
Matthew Wade appears to have the backing of the selectors to continue being Australia’s wicket keeper of choice, with his chief rival Peter Nevill not making the cut.
Handscomb appears the likely replacement for Wade behind the stumps should anything prevent him from fulfilling his duties.
Glenn Maxwell may get his chance to show he can be Australia’s answer for what to do at No.6 after he was included in the squad. Mitchell Marsh has also been named as an all-rounder option.
“We know Glenn plays very well against spin and has a lot of experience playing in India. We think his ability with the bat, coupled with his handy off-spin will complement the bowling unit if required,” Hohns said.
“We consider Mitchell as a bowling all-rounder and should we decide to play a two pace and two spin bowling attack it is important to have that third seam bowling option if conditions suit.”
The surprise selection however, is that of 23-year-old leg spinner Mitchell Swepson, who could earn his first baggy green if he gets the nod to debut at some point during the series.
“Mitchell is an exciting young leg-spinner that has come through the pathway system. We feel he has a lot of potential and want to see him take his opportunity in conditions that should suit him should he get a chance,” said Hohns.
Australian Test squad to play India
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Stephen O’Keefe, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade
Don Freo
Guest
He has lived it down the days after he said it...when many agreed with him. WA recruited him for the same reason. He is only unable to live it down in the minds of 2 of you on The Roar.
Armchair Expert
Guest
Yes Don, Beer's a handy 20/20 bowler and once took 60 wickets in a season for St Kida but he's never been up to 1st class cricket, let alone test cricket, Warne will never live that down.
qwetzen
Guest
Btw Basil, have you seen Swepson bowl live?
Don Freo
Guest
Basil, are you still trotting out that one line from 8 years ago? BTW, Michael Beer was man of the match on Saturday night...still fulfilling Warnie's observations.
Don Freo
Guest
Maxwell has been left out all summer. How is that "must be picked"?
GD66
Guest
Good call buddy. Right there with you on both. The amazement continues....
DJW
Guest
Anyone see Wade bat against spin today at the ODI, all at sea. Add that to his dodgy keeping and it's s terrible selection. M Marsh made a duck today and bowled garbage. Must be on thin ice.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
People don't want Wade. Others don't want Nevill. Some want neither. One of them is keeper for the next 12 months. Handscomb won't be keeping in Tests. They haven't taken the opportunity to blood Whiteman. After this series the only Tests before the next ashes are 2 in Bangladesh.
Dom
Guest
Yep. Our best bet is to go with 6 batsmen, 4 bowlers, and hope for the best.
Sam Backhoe
Guest
maybe, but without the 'Michael' :)
Basil
Guest
The Warne effect does it again. I swear he just throws out names just to see how strong his influence is over the selectors. Michael Beer anyone?
Basil
Guest
England loaded there team will allrounders over there and got spanked.
Dom
Guest
Can't see any of India's batsmen being troubled by Glenn Maxwell in a red ball match. He really needs to be considered a batsman who bowls a bit, not an all-rounder, in test cricket.
Ozibatla
Guest
Imagine this lineup at some stage in series: Warner Renshaw Khawaja Smith Maxwell Wade M.Marsh Okeefe Starc Hazlewood Lyon Light on for batting but 6 bowling options. Smith and Warner would have to go big for this to work. I think India has sucked the Aussies in again by our selection of 4 spinning options. These guys are the masters of playing spin. They will love facing conventional finger spin.
Sam Backhoe
Guest
i would not have picked Wade. but they have, so stick with it. many people here suggesting Handscomb as a keeping option on this tour. in my view that would be incredibly unfair on Handscomb and, ultimately, the team. he has worked very hard, taken his chances, and established himself as a test batsman. to throw the gloves at him, probably in a losing situation, in India of all places, would weaken our batting - not strengthen it. i.e. the extra burden would undoubtedly affect his batting, which will be hard enough over there as it is. and, although I've seen little of him keeping, is it really up to test standard?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Omega, there are a few love in the team besides Mitch Marsh. On form how can they pick Shaun Marsh, yes he scored a century last time in Sri Lanka but SL isn't India. Maxwell and Wade are two others to appear in the must be picked group.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Sorry but neither Maxwell or Mitch Marsh could be called all rounders. Marsh isn't a bad bowler but his batting strengths aren't good. What does Maxwell do? One 50 plus score in first class cricket this season, one wicket in three first class games this season. Even his two Matador Cup games never amounted to much and he has been picked to go to India? Must have something on someone.
Dom
Guest
Surely Mitch Marsh weakens the batting if he bats in our top 7 and weakens our bowling if he comes in at 8? I don't see the advantage of picking him ahead of a specialist batsman or bowler.
Omega10
Roar Rookie
The continuing love affair with Mitch March is bewildering especially as there are better bowling all-rounders such as James Faulkner about. Swepson is a wasted pick.I hope he doesn't play as it could be demoralising for the lad as I would expect him to be cleaned up by India's batsman.
Brett McKay
Expert
James, I made a similar observation on Twitter just after posting that comment above, that if Maxwell can force his way in, suddenly the batting looks handy, albeit I had Marsh at 7, Wade at 8..