Australia Test squad: Five uncapped players named for India series
Aussie selectors have named five uncapped players in a 17-man Test squad to take on India this summer.
Young guns Will Pucovski and Cameron Green have been included alongside Joe Burns for Australia's four-Test series.
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Uncapped players Pucovski, Green, Mitchell Swepson, Sean Abbott and Michael Neser have all been picked in a squad that is far larger than usual because of COVID-19 protocols.
Incumbent Test opener Burns - who scored 57 runs from five innings in the Sheffield Shield hub - survived the axe.
However he may yet be replaced by Pucovski in Australia's XI for the series opener that begins at Adelaide Oval on December 17.
Pucovski, who was elevated to open the batting for Victoria this season, backed up an unbeaten 255 with a equally-impressive knock of 202 this week.
Green scored 197 against NSW and has become Australia's first-choice allrounder in the absence of Western Australia teammate Mitch Marsh, who is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said the Sheffield Shield form of Pucovski and Green couldn’t be ignored.
“Two of those many standout players were of course Cameron Green and Will Pucovski,” Hohns said.
“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.
“Cameron has already won selection in the white-ball squad and continues that in joining the Test squad.
“He is a wonderful young talent who has great potential to become an allrounder of substance over time. His batting alone has demanded his place in the squad.
“Will's record-breaking start to the summer has been exceptional. His ability to show such patience is something which stands him in good stead for Test cricket and he is in rare company with two double centuries to start the summer.
“We very much look forward to Will developing further on the international stage.”
Swepson, Abbott and Neser the other new faces
And Hohns said similar Queensland leg-spinner Swepson and NSW paceman Abbott.
“Mitch Swepson is another who has excelled and is in fine form for Queensland,” Hohns said.
“He gives the side a strong second spin option to Nathan Lyon and we feel he is ready and deserving of the opportunity.
“Sean Abbott has also been outstanding at the start of the summer and comes in to his first Test squad as a very strong fast bowling option.
“Add that to his recent batting form over the last 12 months he presents a very complete package in the squad.”
Abbott and Neser will serve as cover for star quicks Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson.
Cummins has been appointed sole vice-captain of the side.
Meanwhile, Burns and Pucovski are among the Test squad members who have also been named in an Australia A squad, with the pair likely to open the batting together in a tour match starting on December 6 that could decide who partners David Warner at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia’s 17-man Test squad
David Warner, Will Pucovski, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, Sean Abbott.
with AAP
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