Australia have handed out maiden Test call-ups to Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis for the opening game of the five-match Test series against India, scheduled in Perth from November 22, with the former expected to make his Test debut in the series opener.
McSweeney could likely make his Test debut in the Perth Test. © Getty
The duo are the only fresh faces in the 13-member squad that otherwise includes the usual suspects across all departments. Skipper Pat Cummins will lead the pace attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc while Scott Boland will be the other pace option for the hosts.
Nathan Lyon is the sole specialist spin option in the squad with the likes of Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head expected to fill in as the additional slow-bowling options when required. Alex Carey continues to be the first-choice wicketkeeper and the South Australian has also been in immense form with the bat in the Sheffield Shield where he currently tops the run-charts with two tons and a fifty from six innings.
Inglis' selection isn't just as a backup wicketkeeper but more as a reserve batter with his dual abilities making him the x-factor. The Western Australian has also been among the runs in domestic cricket, presently ranked fourth in run-scorers charts in the Shield season. The 29-year-old is placed a spot above McSweeney among the top run-scorers list while young Sam Konstas is at third spot above both of them. The race for the opener's job, however, was down to Konstas and McSweeney, given that Inglis has been batting in the lower-middle order.
McSweeney and Konstas both impressed in a game apiece for Australia A in the recent unofficial Tests against India A but the former's experience ultimately gave him the nod for what seems like a potential Test debut in Perth.
Squad:Pat Cummins (C), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
