Bendemeer cricket export Josh Hazlewood was named on Sunday in Australia’s 16-man Test squad for India.
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Hazlewood, fresh from a golden summer which has seen him ranked as the world’s best fast bowler, is a trumpcard for an attack likely to contain plenty of spin.
Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson is the bolter, one of four frontline spinners named in the squad.
Swepson joins Ashton Agar, Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe as the slow bowlers for the sub-continent trip.
All-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh are in-line for Test recalls after being picked for the four-Test tour.
Marsh, who batted No.6 throughout his Test career, is now being seen as a bowling all-rounder and could even play as a second seamer.
All-rounder Hilton Cartwright, who made his Test debut in Sydney, was left out, while Shaun Marsh is back after injury.
Selectors have taken a big gamble on Swepson, who has played 14 first-class games for 41 wickets at 33.
"Mitchell is an exciting young leg-spinner that has come through the pathway system. We feel he has a lot of potential and want to see him take his opportunity in conditions that should suit him should he get a chance," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.
The first Test starts on February 23.
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.