Australian squad announced for first 3 Test
Cricket Australia today announced that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen the following players for the first 3 Test match against India, beginning in Brisbane on 4 November.
Cricket Australia
26-Nov-2003
Cricket Australia today announced that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen the following players for the first 3 Test match against India, beginning in Brisbane on 4 November.
The squad is:
| STATE | AGE | TESTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Waugh (captain) | NSW | 38 | 164 |
| Ricky Ponting (vice-captain) | TAS | 28 | 71 |
| Andrew Bichel) | QLD | 33) | 17 |
| Nathan Bracken) | NSW | 26) | 0 |
| Adam Gilchrist) | WA | 32) | 47 |
| Jason Gillespie) | SA | 28) | 46 |
| Matthew Hayden) | QLD | 32) | 46 |
| Simon Katich) | NSW | 28) | 2 |
| Justin Langer) | WA | 33) | 67 |
| Stuart MacGill) | NSW | 32) | 26 |
| Damien Martyn) | WA | 32) | 35 |
| Brad Williams) | WA | 29) | 1 |
*A twelfth man will be announced in due course.
Selection sees leg-spinner Stuart MacGill and paceman Jason Gillespie return to the Test squad following injuries that forced both players out of the Second 3 Test against Zimbabwe at the Sydney Cricket Ground in October.
MacGill comes back into the side in place of Western Australian Brad Hogg, while Gillespie replaces New South Welshman Brett Lee who suffered an abdominal injury during the Sydney Test.
Lee, who also missed this month's Travelex One-Day International Tour of India is continuing to recover from the injury as well as elective surgery to his left ankle undertaken last month.
Fellow paceman Glenn McGrath is also making steady progress following surgery to his left ankle in October.
National Selection Panel Chairman Trevor Hohns said: "We believe we have the necessary depth to adequately cover for both Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee.
"Brad Williams has now been exposed to Test cricket and his performance on the recent one-day tour of India along with Nathan Bracken was outstanding," he said
Hohns said the inclusion of Simon Katich, who captured six wickets bowling left-arm wrist-spin during the Sydney Test, also gave selectors the option of playing four fast bowlers.
"With Jason Gillespie now available and Andy Bichel having gained experience against the Indian batsmen, we are satisfied that we have the necessary firepower to deal with their talented top-order.
"Simon Katich retains his place in the squad following a solid performance against Zimbabwe and some excellent Pura Cup form.
"Once again Martin Love is unlucky not to be selected, particularly given his recent form, however Simon's combined ability with bat and ball is appealing.
"On the whole we think that this is a balanced squad," he said.