3 minute read
A look at those in line to be part of Australia's likely XI in their first Test against India at Adelaide Oval.
KEY MEMBERS OF AUSTRALA'S TEST SQUAD
MARCUS HARRIS (left-handed batsman)
Age: 28
Batting average: 24.06 (9 Tests)
Batting average v India: 36.85 (4 Tests)
Will Pucovski and David Warner's injuries could reignite his Test career. Returns to the scene of his Test debut, which also came against India in 2018, after doing remedial work on his technique with former Test opener and Victoria coach Chris Rogers.
JOE BURNS (right-handed batsman)
Age: 31
Batting average: 38.30 (21 Tests)
Batting average v India: 36.5 (2 Tests)
Has managed just 62 runs from nine first-class knocks this season. Coach Justin Langer says he could potentially survive the axe but Allan Border says that'd be doing to a disservice to an out-of-form opener who looks "shot".
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE (right-handed batsman)
Age: 26
Batting average: 63.43 (14 Tests)
Batting average v India: 38 (1 Test)
The golden boy of Australian cricket during the previous summer, when he celebrated four centuries and scored 896 runs in a record-breaking Test campaign. Will remain at first drop.
STEVE SMITH (right-handed batsman)
Age: 31
Batting average: 62.84 (73 Tests)
Batting average v India: 84.05 (10 Tests)
Was below his best in the recent Indian Premier League but a pair of 62-ball tons in the recent ODI series suggest he could well produce another special summer. Sits atop the ICC's Test batting charts for a good reason.
MATTHEW WADE (left-handed batsman)
Age: 32
Batting average: 31.30 (32 Tests)
Batting average v India: 25.75 (7 Tests)
Looms as a likely makeshift opener in Adelaide. Served as stand-in skipper during a recent Twenty20 at the SCG, underlining how highly regarded he is by selectors and Langer.
TRAVIS HEAD (left-handed batsman)
Age: 26
Batting average: 41.96 (17 Tests)
Batting average v India: 33.85 (4 Tests)
One of many squad members keen for revenge after losing 2-1 to India in 2018-19, when the tourists recorded their maiden Test series win in Australia. The South Australian failed to turn starts into scores of substance during his first home Test summer but feels he has come a long way since.
CAMERON GREEN (right-handed batsman, right-arm fast-medium)
Age: 21
Batting average: N/A (0 Tests)
Batting average v India: N/A (0 Tests)
Bowling average: N/A (0 Tests)
Bowling average v India: N/A (0 Tests)
Exciting allrounder who is widely regarded as the next big thing in Australian cricket. Will debut in the day-night Test if he recovers from concussion in time - it's a matter of when, not if, he will be presented a baggy green this summer.
MOISES HENRIQUES (right-handed batsman, right-arm fast-medium)
Age: 33
Batting average: 23.42 (4 Tests)
Batting average v India: 31.2 (3 Tests)
Bowling average: 82 (4 Tests)
Bowling average v India: 77.5 (3 Tests)
Called into the squad on Monday and could play his first Test on home soil. Recent hamstring injury is a concern but looked solid in limited-overs series and scored two tons in Sheffield Shield Hub.
TIM PAINE (wicketkeeper)
Age: 36
Batting average: 31.66 (31 Tests)
Batting average v India: 32.45 (6 Tests)
Has gone from strength to strength since being appointed captain in the aftermath of the Cape Town cheating scandal. Verbal battle with counterpart Virat Kohli will be one of many intriguing subplots in Adelaide.
PAT CUMMINS (right-arm fast)
Age: 27
Bowling average: 21.82 (30 Tests)
Bowling average v India: 28.68 (6 Tests)
The top-ranked Test bowler in the world has been appointed the side's sole vice-captain for this summer, putting him one step closer to becoming the first paceman to captain Australia's Test XI since Ray Lindwall in 1956. Was controversially rested from the recent T20 series.
MITCHELL STARC (left-arm fast)
Age: 30
Bowling average: 26.97 (57 Tests)
Bowling average v India: 36.19 (11 Tests)
Has linked with the Test squad after being given compassionate leave during the white-ball leg of India's tour. Boasts a fearsome record with the pink ball, having claimed 42 wickets at 19.23 in day-night Tests.
NATHAN LYON (right-arm offspin)
Age: 33
Bowling average: 31.58 (96 Tests)
Bowling average v India: 32.6 (18 Tests)
Adelaide Oval has been a happy hunting ground for Lyon, whose task won't be made any easier by the fact India will likely pick six right-handed batsmen. Should soon celebrate his 100th Test and 400th scalp.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD (right-arm fast-medium)
Age: 29
Bowling average: 26.2 (51 Tests)
Bowling average v India: 30.73 (11 Tests)
The metronomic paceman might well be the most vital cog in Australia's star-studded attack. Has captured the prized scalp of Kohli in the past four Australia-India ODIs.
JAMES PATTINSON (right-arm fast-medium)
Age: 30
Bowling average: 26.33 (21 Tests)
Bowling average v India: 25.35 (5 Tests)
Likely to be on drinks duty in the day-night Test but part of Australia's incumbent XI and showed potent form in India's first tour game.