HOW AUSTRALIA’S SQUAD SHAPES UP FOR THE TEST SERIES AGAINST INDIA
CHRIS ROGERS
Age: 37
Tests: 16
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 36.06
Failed to fire in the recent UAE tour, but scored a first-class century at Adelaide Oval last month. Rogers’ yin-and-yang opening partnership with David Warner looks set to continue until next year’s Ashes series in England.
DAVID WARNER
Age: 28
Tests: 32
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 47.47
Lifted his game to another level over the past year. Warner was the leading run-scorer in series wins over England and South Africa, and the only Australian to post a Test century in the recent series against Pakistan. Capable of taking the game away from India in one session.
SHANE WATSON
Age: 33
Tests: 52
Playing role: Allrounder, right-handed
Test batting average: 36.25
Test bowling average: 31.95
Expected to return to No.3 in the batting order, where he has been the most successful of the 11 men used at first drop since Ricky Ponting’s demotion. Likely to bowl fewer overs with Mitch Marsh in the team.
MICHAEL CLARKE (capt)
Age: 33
Tests: 107
Playing role: Right-handed batsman
Test batting average: 50.59
Clarke’s leadership has been incredible over the past week, supporting fellow cricketers and Phillip Hughes’ family following the death of his close friend. The skipper’s recurring hamstring injury remains a concern, but he will be desperate to guide grief-stricken teammates through an emotional Test.
STEVE SMITH
Age: 25
Tests: 22
Playing role: Right-handed batsman
Test batting average: 40.39
Touted as a future captain and it hasn’t been hard to see why over the past year. Consolidated place in the side by taking his time at the crease, premeditating fewer shots and building bigger scores. Handy legbreaks capable of breaking stubborn partnerships.
MITCH MARSH
Age: 23
Tests: 2
Playing role: Allrounder, right-handed
Test batting average: 41.00
A composed 87 was the highlight of an impressive maiden Test tour, when he outperformed more-seasoned teammates with the bat against Pakistan. A strong summer will make Marsh a mainstay of the Test side.
BRAD HADDIN
Age: 37
Tests: 59
Playing role: Wicketkeeper/right-handed batsman
Test batting average: 34.20
Overcame a shoulder injury to take his place in the squad and will captain Australia if Clarke is not passed fit. Potentially Haddin’s last summer with the gloves, although people were saying the same thing before he averaged 61.62 in the 5-0 Ashes thumping of England.
MITCHELL JOHNSON
Age: 33
Tests: 61
Playing role: Left-arm fast
Test bowling average: 27.47
Crowned ICC cricketer of the year after firing Australia to Test series wins over England and South Africa. Johnson claimed a brilliant 37 wickets at 13.97 in the 2013-14 Ashes. India’s batsmen have limited experience against the left-armer, as he missed their most recent Australian tour in 2012 due to injury.
RYAN HARRIS
Age: 35
Tests: 24
Playing role: Right-arm fast
Test bowling average: 22.56
Inspired Australia to a last-gasp victory in their Test series decider against South Africa in March. Underwent major knee surgery upon return from Cape Town, but returned to first-class cricket last month and will be a handful with the new ball.
PETER SIDDLE
Age: 30
Tests: 55
Playing role: Right-arm fast medium
Test bowling average: 30.20
Was dropped in South Africa earlier this year and will come under pressure from Josh Hazlewood this month. Made a memorable debut against India in 2008, hitting Gautam Gambhir in the head with his first ball and removing Sachin Tendulkar to snaffle his maiden Test wicket.
NATHAN LYON
Age: 27
Tests: 35
Playing role: Right-arm offbreak
Test bowling average: 35.80
Lyon struggled in the UAE, capturing three Test wickets at an average of 140. Should benefit from the extra bounce on offer in Australia, when he confronts some masterful players of spin. Will take confidence from dismissing VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar when India last played a Test in Adelaide.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD
Age: 23
Tests: 0
Playing role: Right-arm fast-medium
Test bowling average: N/A
Hazlewood will almost certainly be presented with a baggy green at some point this series. A handful of serious injuries have hampered his progress since making a one-day international debut at age 19, but the Tamworth product is fit and impressing selectors.
SHAUN MARSH
Age: 31
Tests: 9
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 32.86
The hot-and-cold career of Marsh will continue if Clarke is sidelined by his hamstring woes. Scored a magnificent century in Centurion against South Africa earlier this year, but followed it with a pair and was dropped for the series decider in Cape Town.
