Australia will blood at least one Test debutant against India in Perth after Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis were named in a 13-man squad for the series opener.
McSweeney beat out specialist openers Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas to earn a shot at the top of the order in the Test beginning November 22.
After a red-hot start to the summer with the bat and a promotion to acting ODI captain for the final game against Pakistan, Inglis was chosen as the reserve batter.
While he had been ruled out of the Test opening role, the WA keeper was preferred to Harris and all-rounder Beau Webster to provide flexibility in Perth.
Victorian veteran Scott Boland was named as the reserve pace bowler in the squad, with little competition after injuries ruled out Michael Neser (hamstring) and Jordan Buckingham (side strain), and nationally contracted pair Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson yet to play a red-ball game this summer.
Marsh and Travis Head will both be available for the series opener after missing the ODI series against Pakistan due to paternity leave, with Head to play his 50th Test match.
Injured all-rounder Cameron Green was the only absentee from Australia’s last Test XI that played against New Zealand in March.
Harris’ second innings golden duck for Australia A at the MCG may have proved costly as Australia A topscorer McSweeney overtook him, while 스포츠토토사이트 Cameron Bancroft’s horror form slump of 29 runs in eight innings made him virtually unpickable despite his dominance of the Sheffield Shield in recent years.
Konstas, 19, steered the A side to victory with an unbeaten 73 on Saturday, but did not do enough to convince the selectors he could overcome a lack of experience against an international bowling attack.
Australian head selector George Bailey said McSweeney had attributes that would “equip him well for Test cricket”.
“(McSweeney’s) performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favour and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at Test level,” Bailey said.
“Similarly, Josh (Inglis) has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield competition and deserves his place in his first Test squad.
“The squad is balanced and provides Andrew and Pat the options required for what shapes as a captivating series.”