Australian selectors have called on New South Wales fast bowler Josh Hazlewood to make his Test debut against India at the Gabba on Wednesday.
The injured Ryan Harris and an overlooked Peter Siddle will make way for Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who has also impressed for the Blues in recent Sheffield Shield action.
The 23-year-old Hazlewood made his ODI debut at age 19 and was impressive in last month’s one-day series against South Africa, producing returns of 5 for 31 and 3 for 51 with the ball in two matches.
“It’s very exciting. I have watched Josh very closely at NSW and he has impressed me every time,” stand-in captain Steve Smith said of Hazlewood.
“And I think he is only getting better and better. I think this pitch will suit him perfectly.
“I am looking forward to seeing him zinging a few through.”
Starc, who last featured for Australia in the crushing 356-run second Test loss to Pakistan in early November, replaces an underdone Siddle, who battled an illness during last week’s opening Test in Adelaide.
“We just wanted to play a bowler with a little more pace and bounce,” Smith said of Starc.
“Mitchell obviously went back and bowled really well for NSW in the last couple of Shield games and deserves his spot.
“It is obviously very disappointing for Peter Siddle who has been a terrific bowler over a long period of time.
“He is certainly not out of the loop. He is still in and around the team and hopefully will get another game soon.”
Michael Clarke’s troublesome hamstring injury will see Shaun Marsh enter the Australian XI and bat ahead of brother Mitchell at No.5, while Smith will move up a spot in the order to cover for Clarke, out for the remainder of the series following surgery on Tuesday.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.
