Cricket Australia has named the injured captain Michael Clarke in the first Test squad subject to fitness. They are giving their skipper every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the first Commonwealth Bank Test against India starts in Brisbane on 4 December.
Clarke continues to undergo daily treatment for his injured hamstring that forced him out of Australia’s One-Day International series against South Africa as well as his ongoing back condition.
The plan is for Clarke to resume running over the coming days. If successful he will play for the CA XI in its two-day tour match against the touring Indian side at the Adelaide Oval on Friday 28 November. Should Clarke play that match and recover well he will take his place in the Test side. Selectors will consider calling in a replacement batsman to the Test squad if Clarke does not recover sufficiently.
“Michael Clarke has been included subject to fitness,” said National Selector Rod Marsh. “We would have preferred him to play in the round of Sheffield Shield starting tomorrow but unfortunately his condition did not allow him enough time to be ready for that match.
“The aim is for him to play in the two-day CA XI match against India at the Adelaide Oval starting this Friday and his selection for the first Test is very much dependent on him pulling up well from that match.
“It goes without saying that Michael is a world-class batsman and it is important that he is 100 per-cent fit to be able to play in the first Test.”
Queensland paceman Ryan Harris returns to the Test squad following his recovery from knee surgery and will play in the upcoming round of Shield as part of his build up to the Test.
Uncapped New South Wales paceman Josh Hazlewood has been rewarded for strong recent performances with inclusion in the Test squad for the first time since 2012-13. Hazlewood claimed nine wickets in the Carlton Mid ODI Series against South Africa.
Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell have been omitted from Australia’s last Test side that faced Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Commenting on the inclusion of Hazlewood and Harris, Marsh said:“Josh is a young player of great talent and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.
“He has impressed in the recent one-day series and we are excited to see what he can produce if given the opportunity in Brisbane.
“Ryan has worked extremely hard to return to elite cricket following his knee surgery.
“We know what a quality player he is. He will play in this upcoming round of Sheffield Shield to get more bowling under his belt but we are all hopeful he will be ready for a big summer of cricket.”
The 12-player Australian squad for the first Commonwealth Bank Test is:
|
Michael Clarke (c) |
NSW* |
|
Brad Haddin (vc) |
NSW |
|
Ryan Harris |
QLD |
|
Josh Hazlewood |
NSW |
|
Mitchell Johnson |
WA |
|
Nathan Lyon |
NSW |
|
Mitchell Marsh |
WA |
|
Chris Rogers |
VIC |
|
Peter Siddle |
VIC |
|
Steve Smith |
NSW |
|
David Warner |
NSW |
|
Shane Watson |
NSW |
*Notes subject to fitness
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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