Uncapped pair named in Aussie Test squad

[Nergal]

 

In-form Victoria opener Marcus Harris has been included in Australia's 14-man squad for the first two Domain Tests against India in Adelaide and Perth.

Harris and state teammate Chris Tremain are the only uncapped players in the big squad which includes six specialist batters and five fast bowlers.

Australia's squad for first two Tests against India: Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh (vc), Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (c, wk), Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain, Peter Siddle.

The 26-year-old Harris has plundered 437 runs at 87.50 in the JLT Sheffield Shield this summer, headlined by a mammoth unbeaten 250 against NSW at the MCG last month.

Test incumbents Aaron Finch and Travis Head have been named along with Victoria captain Peter Handscomb, who missed selection for Australia's Test tour to the UAE but has forced his way back through a weight of runs at domestic level.

Handscomb was in sparkling form in the JLT One-Day Cup to start the summer and compiled a classy Shield hundred against a potent South Australia attack at Adelaide Oval, venue of the first Test from December 6.

Harris and Handscomb have edged out Queensland pair Matthew Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne.

“Marcus Harris has forced his way into the squad after an impressive start to the Sheffield Shield campaign for Victoria, and in recent times has performed in high pressure matches, including Sheffield Shield finals," said chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns. "Not only has he made plenty of runs, he’s displayed the mental application we believe is required to compete at Test cricket.”

“Peter Handscomb has been recalled after missing out on the tour to the UAE. He’s been one of Victoria’s most consistent performers with the bat through the JLT Cup and Sheffield Shield. He’s a well respected member of the dressing room, a calm head at the crease and has also played against India at Test level.”

Usman Khawaja has been included and will captain Queensland in their Shield clash against Victoria next week in what will be his first match back after undergoing knee surgery last month.

The four-day Shield fixture represents the left-hander's only hit-out before the first Test, but the 31-year-old was comfortably Australia's best batter in the UAE.