Australia include teenage fast bowler for India tour

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MELBOURNE - Teenage rookie fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been included in the 15-man squad Cricket Australia (CA) announced Thursday for the two-Test series in India.

National selection panel (NSP) chairman Andrew Hilditch, announcing the squad, said that Phillip Hughes makes a return from a dislocated shoulder and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been ruled out with an elbow injury.

The squad for the three-match ODI series starting Oct 17 in Kochi will be announced after monitoring the fitness of injured players.

Peter George from South Australia and 19-year-old Hazlewood from New South Wales are the latest inclusions in the Australian pace attack.

“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. The Australian squad is really looking forward to the challenge,” said Hilditch.

“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,” he said.

“The squad we have selected sees the return from injury of Phillip Hughes and includes a very good mix of experience and new young talent with Steven Smith, Hughes and two young fast bowlers in Peter George and Josh Hazlewood. All these exciting young players have the potential to have a big impact in international cricket for many years,” he added.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said that Haddin is making good progress with rehabilitation of his elbow tendon injury.

“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,” he said.

Test team: 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 and Shane Watson

Fixture:

First Test: Oct 1-5 (Mohali)

Second Test: Oct 9-13(Bangalore)

1st ODI: Oct 17 (Kochi)

2nd ODI: Oct 20 (Vishakapatnam)

3rd ODI: Oct 24 (Goa)