Australia announce XI for 2nd Test against India; Shaun Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc included

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood

Australia have stuck to the tradition of announcing their playing XI one day before a Test match, by revealing their lineup for the 2nd Test between Australia and India, which will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting tomorrow.

Clarke, Harris, Siddle out

The hosts have decided to make three changes from the side that beat India by 48 runs at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. With permanent captain Michael Clarke out of the series due to a hamstring injury, Steve Smith will lead the side for the first time. Smith’s appointment as skipper came as a bit of a surprise to some as he was picked over Clarke’s long-term deputy Brad Haddin and in-form David Warner for the job.

Ryan Harris, who is Australia’s top-ranked Test bowler, has been ruled out of the match due to an injury. The 35-year-old’s career has been plagued with injuries, which has seen him restricted to just 25 Tests since making his Test debut in 2010.

On the other hand, Peter Siddle has been dropped due to poor performances in the recent past. The Victorian has picked up just 12 wickets in 6 Tests at an average of over 50 this calendar year.

Marsh, Hazlewood, Starc in

Shaun Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will replace the trio in the team. Marsh and Starc have been in-and-out of the Australian Test team over the last few years and will be hoping to make a mark on a pitch that should suit the fast bowlers. Hazlewood, who will be making his Test debut, will become the 440th cricketer to wear the famous Baggy Green.

Speaking about the changes, stand-in captain Smith said: “This pitch will suit Hazlewood, I'm looking forward to seeing him zing a few though on a fast and bouncy wicket. Ryan Harris has pulled up a bit sore but hopefully he'll be right in a couple of days and be ready for Boxing Day.

“It's bad luck for Peter Siddle. We've brought Mitch Starc in because we just wanted someone with a bit of extra pace. After two Tests in the UAE and the one in Adelaide, our quicks are looking forward to bowling on a pitch that suits them.”

Shaun and Mitchell Marsh will become the fifth set of brothers to play for the Australian cricket team in the same Test.

Australia's XI for 2nd Test: Warner, Rogers, Watson, Smith, S Marsh, M Marsh, Haddin, Johnson, Starc, Lyon, Hazlewood

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 16, 2014

Final XI

David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith (c), Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.