Australia have named a 14-man squad for the first two Tests against India, with Marcus Harris and Chris Tremain the new faces in the mix and a returning Peter Handscomb.
Harris, the 26-year-old opening batsman from Victoria, and his statemate, fast bowler Tremain, made the squad for the Tests in Adelaide (from 6 December) and Perth (from 14 December).
The rest of the squad is along expected lines, with Usman Khawaja included after recovering from an injury. Khawaja, who put in an appearance during the first Twenty20 International, hurt his knee during the Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
“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 setbacks, all the signs are indicating he will be available for the first Test. We saw how well he performed against Pakistan in the UAE, and we hope he can recapture that form over the summer,” said Trevor Hohns, the National Selector.
Also returning in the continued absence of David Warner, Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith is Peter Handscomb, who hasn’t played for Australia since the Test series in South Africa earlier this year.
“He’s been one of Victoria’s most consistent performers with the bat through the JLT Cup and Sheffield Shield,” Hohns said of Handscomb. “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.”
