SYDNEY: Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was not included in the 15-man squad named on Thursday for Australia’s two Tests in India next month.
Haddin has an elbow injury and will stay behind to rehabilitate ahead of the home Ashes Test series against England later this year, officials said.
“Brad is making good progress with rehabilitation of his elbow tendon injury,” team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a Cricket Australia statement.
“He is due to commence restricted batting in the next few weeks but will not be available to play in the Test component of Australia’s tour of India.
“He is on track to be available for club cricket and for New South Wales with the possibility of being available for selection in the India or Sri Lanka one-day international series.”
Opening batsman Phillip Hughes returns to the Australian squad from a dislocated shoulder, while young fast bowlers, Peter George and Josh Hazlewood, have been selected.
Australia will take two recognised spinners, off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and legspinner Steven Smith, to India.
“India is ranked number one in Test cricket and there is no harder assignment in Test cricket at the moment than playing India on their home soil,” chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in the statement.
“The Australian squad is really looking forward to the challenge.
“The Australian team had a very successful home summer last year and an away series win against New Zealand.
“While it was disappointing to draw the series in England against Pakistan, the squad reflects the good performances of the team over the last 12 months as we continue to prepare for the Ashes.”
Hilditch said the selection of Hughes, Smith, George and Hazlewood have the potential to be key players in future Australian teams.
“All these exciting young players have the potential to have a big impact in international cricket for many years and the selection panel is confident they will all equip themselves well if the opportunity presents itself on this tour,” he said.
As the first one-day international of the Indian tour is not scheduled until October 17, Hilditch said the selection panel will monitor the fitness of injured players before making a decision on the squad for the one-day series.
Australia play India in Tests in Mohali (October 1-5) and Bangalore (October 9-13).
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.
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