Xtra Time Web Desk: Cricket Australia on Thursday announced a strong 17 member squad for the much anticipated test series against India starting next month on December 17 at Adelaide Oval. The national selection committee headed by Trevor Hohns named rising stars Will Pucovski and Cameron Green among five uncapped players in Australia’s extended squad of 17.
Spinner Mitchell Swepson and seam-bowling all-rounders Michael Neser and Sean Abbott are the other members of the Test squad yet to wear the Baggy Green.
Pat Cummins was named the sole vice-captain of the Test team, while selectors also named a 19-player Australia A squad that includes nine members of the Test squad.
It’s the first time in an Australian Test squad for Green and Abbott, with all five new faces called up on the back of extraordinary form in opening rounds of the Marsh Sheffield Shield.
The fresh faces joined the incumbent Test 12 that swept through Australia’s most recent Test series’ – against Pakistan and New Zealand at home before the global pandemic hit – and took the team to the top of the world rankings.
CA’s National Selector Trevor Hohns said the Shield performances bode well for Australian cricket’s future.
“Two of those many standout players were of course Cameron Green and Will Pucovski. Their undeniable form demanded selection and we are very pleased to have these young men in the squad for what will be a tremendous Test Series against an extremely formidable opponent,” Hohns said in a statement.
Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
Australia A squad: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Jackson Bird, Alex Carey (wk), Harry Conway, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh (subject to fitness), Michael Neser, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Mark Steketee, Will Sutherland, Mitchell Swepson