Australian team declared for the first test against India

Australian team declared for the first test against India: Cricket Australia selectors pick the team for first test against India starting December 4. The CSA chief selector Rod Marsh and his selection team have decided to add injured skipper Michael Clarke in the 12 member team. The captain is struggling with a hamstring and needs to prove fitness before the series against India begins.

The team will play the challengers India led by young stand in skipper Virat Kohli who has not left an occasion to make it clear that the team is in a good frame of mind and believe in themselves. He has made it clear that India are not looking much into the previous series result and the focus is on winning it this time. Though the 4 test match series against Australia in their own backyard will test the entire team’s character, it is a positive sign looking at the confidence the captain has.

The Australian selectors have also named uncapped fast bowler Josh Hazlewood along with recovered all-rounder Shane Watson and Ryan Harris in place of pacer Mitchell Starc and attacking batsman Glenn Maxwell.

Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said the tour match against India would be the platform for Clarke to prove he is fully fit for Test duty. Only then will CSA take the final call as they don’t want to risk the skipper for the entire season which also includes the World Cup.

Marsh in the conference post announcement of the team said “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.”

Clarke’s fitness is the biggest concern the management has and when asked the Australian cricket team’s Bupa Support Team Doctor Peter Brukner said “We still have some time before having to make a final decision on Michael’s fitness,” Brukner said.

“As you would expect, he’s desperate to play and we are doing all that we can to ensure he can do just that.

“Over the coming days the plan is to build him up so that he can resume running with the ultimate aim of getting him some high-intensity match practice ahead of the first Test.”

The new player included in the team young Josh Hazlewood is a promising prospect. “Josh is a young player of great talent and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” Marsh said on his selection.

“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.

On selection of Ryan Harris who has been out of the team since March, the 35-year-old Aussie has an incredible Test record under his name, as he averages 22.56 with the ball in the 24 Tests he has featured in.

“Ryan (Harris) 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 team for the first test looks like:

Australia: Michael Clarke (c)* , Brad Haddin (vc), Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson . *Notes subject to fitness