Australia have included Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in their Playing XI for the second Test against India. On the traditionally fast, bouncy and green wicket at the Gabba, the hosts have decided to include the two young fast bowlers in place of Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle.
While Harris is injured, Siddle’s exclusion is more to do with his drop in pace that was evident in the first Test. Captain, Steve Smith has promoted himself at No. 4 and Shaun Marsh replaces Michael Clarke in the batting lineup.
Speaking about Harris’s injury, Smith said, “Ryan Harris pulled up a little stiff and sore from Adelaide, he’s got a slight quad-strain. Darren Lehmann has always said if our bowlers aren’t 100 per cent going into a match, then we won’t be playing them.
“It’s very unfortunate for Ryan but hopefully he gets his body right soon. I think he’ll be OK in a couple of days. It’s just that going into a Test match if you’re not 100 per cent, that’s the way it goes with this team.
“He’ll get a bit of work done with the physios the next couple of days and he can start running and hopefully be OK for Melbourne.”
Describing Starc’s inclusion, Smith said, “In regards to the inclusion of Mitchell Starc, we just wanted to play a bowler with a bit of extra pace and bounce. Mitchell obviously went back and bowled really well in the last couple of Shield games and deserves his spot.
“It’s obviously very disappointing for Peter Siddle who has been a terrific bowler over a period of time. He’s certainly not out of the loop, he’s still around the team and hopefully he’ll get another game soon.”
The Brisbane Test will be special occasion for Hazlewood, who will become Australia’s 440th Test cricketer. Smith was chuffed for his mate.
“It’s very exciting,” Smith said. “I’ve watched Josh very closely over the last couple of years at NSW and he impresses me every time. I think he’s only getting better and better. This pitch out here is going to suit him perfectly.
“He’s very skillful for his age (23) and I’m just looking forward to seeing him zing a few through and bowl with that extra bit of pace and get that extra bit of bounce as well so it’s very exciting for Josh to make his debut.”
Of the green Gabba pitch, Smith said, “It’s traditionally quite a fast and bouncy wicket and it certainly looks no different out there for this Test match.
“Hopefully after the wickets that we’ve played on recently in Test cricket – the Adelaide Oval and the two in the UAE – it’s exciting for our fast bowlers to finally have something that’ll have a bit of liveliness to it.”
Australia’s XI for the second Test: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steven Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathon Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
By: BCCI
