Australian selectors have named two debutants to the Test side ahead of December 6’s Adelaide Oval clash, with Marcus Harris and Chris Tremain added to the 14-man squad.
Harris and Tremain will be hoping to don the baggy green for the first time in their respective careers after being added to the squad for the first two Tests of the series against India.
Harris’ inclusion is something of a surprise, with the Victorian youngster edging out favourite Matt Renshaw for one of the opening positions, while Chris Tremain faces a tougher time squeezing into the XI with Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle all still present.
Mitchell Marsh’s recent appointment to vice-captain all but assured his continued presence in the side, although fans will be unhappy to see his brother Shaun included in the side once more after some (admittedly) impressive Shield form.
Australian supporters will be buoyed, however, by the news that Usman Khawaja is set to slot right back into the side after overcoming a hip injury.
National selector, Trevor Hohns, praised Khawaja for his impressive work during recovery.
“We’ve been really impressed with the way Usman Khawaja has applied himself through his rehabilitation and he’s left no stone unturned in his bid to return in Adelaide.
“Barring any set-backs, all the signs are indicating he will be available for the first Test,” he said.
Hohns also made special mention of debutants Harris and Tremain, citing Harris’ “impressive start” in the Sheffield Shield, saying the 26-year-old had “forced his way into the squad” with sublime performances in high-pressure sitatuions.
“Chris Tremain has also been performing consistently with the ball for Victoria,” Hohns added, claiming the Victorian pace bowler “thoroughly deserves his place in the squad.”
Hohns also addressed the surprise recall of Peter Handscomb, calling him a “calm head at the crease”, while also simply stating popular omissions such as Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne “[hadn’t] done enough to earn selection.”
Tim Paine (C, WK), Mitch Marsh (VC), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
He is a Marsh so he is in :P
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
It’s not athleticism you need in Tests but catching ability. But similar weakness in that department.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
The obvious decision would be to leave out M Marsh and include Harris and Handscomb. If you need a few overs to give someone a rest, Head and Finch can do it. Although I don’t fancy Head’s chances against Ashwin, and Bumrah and Ishant are also good against left handers.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
“Mitchell Marsh’s recent appointment to vice-captain all but assured his continued presence in the side, although fans will be unhappy to see his brother Shaun included in the side once more after some (admittedly) impressive Shield form.“ “Although” here implies that Mitch should be in the team and Shaun shouldn’t. If so, you should be banned from commenting from cricket forever. Shaun may have had a very patchy run in Tests recently but his ability and record are way ahead of Mitch who averages 26!! in Tests and 32 in first class FFS!! Or do you believe that his bowling somehow makes up for the difference, a far-fetched theory for which there isn’t a scintilla of evidence?
Ben
Roar Rookie
How many of our squad would make the Indian team? Of the Indian squad everyone is averaging over 40 in fc Dhawan 43 Vijay 43 Rahul 48 Pant 52 Pujara 53 Kohli 54 Shaw 60 Of our squad only 2! Khawaja 44 S marsh 41 Handscomb 39 Finch 36 Head 36 Harris 35 M marsh 32 Paine 29 Players unlucky to be selected Maxwell 41 Burns 40 Renshaw 38
The Bush
Roar Guru
Head is already in the team, so he's not trying to force his way in. To force your way in you needed centuries. At least that's the best I can make out for the selectors criteria these days.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I agree Finch will be there, but Handscomb was averaging 43 when he was dropped. It isn't always about the average for the strange selections.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Harris was worth a chance.
Lancey5times
Roar Rookie
They could have certainly picked a worse squad. While I don't think he did enough to clearly get a gig, I hope Renshaw being overlooked isn't a continuation of Langer's attitude towards him last summer. Smarsh and Harris to open for mine. Everything looks solider with Khawaja at 3 given it's his best position and Finch in the middle order. There is no clear number 4 in this line up. Burns opening with Harris and Smarsh down the order would be ideal
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Head is a slogger?
Omega10
Roar Rookie
That's the weakest Australian batting line up for many a year. Two batsman in the squad averaging over 40 in Test cricket and one of them unlikely to play. For the first time in his career Usman Khawaja is a lock because he is undoubtedly the best we have. Shaun Marsh is 35 but is a lock because there is no one else matching his quality(!). The rest are solid first class players but guys like that don't generally go on to stellar test careers. Mitch Marsh wouldn't be anywhere near the team in a stronger era and shouldn't be in this one either. The cupboard is bare but we ain't starving just yet! We use to laugh at the English when they had average allrounders batting in their top order. We can only hope a couple of these guys have stellar seasons on home pitches but things could get ugly.
jameswm
Roar Guru
You want to pick the same top home and away, so you want them to be able to score runs home and away.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
As is every other team. Play the game in front of you. By the time the next tour happens, someone will step up. They always do but the doomsayers just go looking for something else to be sad about. Meanwhile a fun summer happens and those same doomsayers never enjoy it because they are dreading the next loss.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Australia doesn't have batting woes.... on flat decks in Australia. Our shortcomings are laid bare for all to see as soon as they get on a plane.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Marsh has played less shield games than Wade due to being on national duty. Since he's come back to the WA side he's done a pretty good job. The rest you mention have done less than Marsh over the last few seasons and also the selectors have made it very clear that we need a 5th bowler. I think that's the other thing that gets Marsh over the line here. He can bowl whereas the other contenders (apart from Stoinis) don't.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
It's a sign of how weak our batting stocks are at the moment that M Marsh is potentially in our 6 best bats right now but that's where we are at. He has done more (granted not a huge amount) than any of the other contenders right now.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
More the other way around. It would be a case of, if they really wanted Finch to be opening in the test, they might request McDonald to have him open in the one Shield match he's going to play rather than bat in the middle order where he usually does. If the selectors are thinking of batting him in the middle order in the test then there's nothing to say at all.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
That's a good point. You don't pick your players based on fielding, but it's tough when you end up with a team of pretty ordinary fielders. Although talk of Warner as one of the best fielders is probably stretching back a few years. Since he hurt his shoulder he's often tended to be the mid-on / mid-off fielder too. He's still quick across the ground but then can't throw at the end of it.
Rellum
Roar Guru
With the current setup Finch will bat where ever the national selectors McDonald he will bat. I am saying if we want to produce better cricketers then the national selectors should have zero say in what CV does.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Harris is an opener, so he's used to just getting out there. Probably more nerves waiting for his chance to come in.