Australia To Field At Least Three Debutants In Brisbane

Australia To Field Three Debutants In Brisbane

David Warner looks set to make his Test debut against New Zealand

©REUTERS / Action Images

Cricket Australia have named four uncapped players in a 12-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand which begins in Brisbane on 1st December.

Fast bowlers Ben Cutting, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc join opening batsman David Warner, who looks set to replace Shane Watson at the top of the order.

Cutting, Pattinson and Starc replace Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Patrick Cummins, who all picked up injuries during the recent tour of South Africa.

The first squad picked by the new National Selection Panel (NSP) of John Inverarity, Andy Bichel, Rod Marsh and new coach Mickey Arthur has also named wicket-keeper Brad Haddin as Michael Clarke's vice-captain for the match.

“The NSP has today announced a versatile and exciting squad for the first Vodafone Test against New Zealand starting on Thursday," Inverarity said.

“Unfortunately Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, Patrick Cummins, Ryan Harris and Shaun Marsh are unavailable for selection due to injury and Michael Beer and Trent Copeland are the players to have missed selection after being part of the Test squad in South Africa.

“The absence of these players obviously provides a great chance for David Warner, James Pattinson, Ben Cutting and Mitchell Starc to come into the squad and perform on the international stage and I know that is an opportunity they are all looking forward to.

“Although injuries to those key players are not ideal, this provides an opening for these promising young players to come into the Australian squad and further their development.

“David, James and Mitchell have been in and around the Australian limited overs squad at various times recently and showed that they have the talent and skills required to perform on the international stage.

“This is obviously the first time Ben Cutting has been included in an Australia squad and he has impressed us with his performances in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield this year and this is reflected in his success at the competition’s leading wicket-taker.

“Trent has had a lack of opportunities to push for selection in recent times. He will be disappointed but will work hard with New South Wales and I have no doubt he will again be putting his hand up for inclusion with good performances for his state.
 
“Additionally, in the absence of Shane Watson, the NSP has appointed Brad Haddin to the role of stand-in vice-captain. Brad is an experienced member of the squad, has had leadership responsibilities in the past and we believe those qualities will make him a good vice-captain for this match."

Australia Test squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Brad Haddin (vice-captain), Ben Cutting, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, David Warner

© Cricket World 2011