Australia name spin-heavy team for India tour

MELBOURNE, January 15 

Australia have included uncapped Mitchell Swepson and recalled Ashton Agar in a four-man spin-bowling unit for the Test tour of India, part of a versatile squad they hope can turn the tide of their recent results in the country. The Australians also recalled all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell to allow flexibility to deal with whatever conditions they face in the four Tests starting next month.

Top-order batsman Shaun Marsh, Mitchell’s brother, was also recalled after losing his place in the side for the series against South Africa and Pakistan through injury.

Jackson Bird was included in the 16-man squad as a third pace option along with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, despite being dropped for the final Test against Pakistan to allow two spinners to play in Sydney. The Australians will review their fast-bowling resources after the second Test in Bengaluru.

“We don’t know what pitch conditions we will come up against in each of the venues but wanted to make sure we have plenty of options available to us,” head selector Trevor Hohns said.

“We know India is an incredibly tough place to tour and to succeed in, but we have a squad here which we believe can perform well enough in those conditions to give a good account of itself.” The first Test starts in Pune on February 23, followed by matches in Bengaluru, Ranchi and Dharamsala. 

Squad: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon, Stephen O’Keefe, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson. — Reuters 

India-B’desh Test postponed by a day

The one-off Test between India and Bangladesh has been pushed by a day and will now take place on Feb 9-13 in Hyderabad. “We have received the notification from BCCI. The game will start on Thursday instead of Wednesday, February 8,” said John Manoj, Hyderabad Cricket Association secretary. BCCI feels that overall crowd attendance over five days will be better with the game beginning on Thursday. — PTI