The NSP has announced a 15-player men’s team for the fourth and fifth NRMA Insurance Test matches that Australia will play against India in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Border Gavaskar Trophy has brought Australia and India to a score of 1-all with still two matches to play.
Beau Webster and Sean Abbott are back in the squad. Jhye Richardson joins them. For the first time on national duty, Sam Konstas is included. Nathan McSweeney unfortunately missed being part of the squad.
“A squad like this gives us options on how we structure our XI for the last two Tests of the series,” said Chair of Selectors George Bailey.
“It was a difficult call to leave Nathan McSweeney out, as we are confident he has both the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future.
“Sam gets his first call up to the Test squad. His kind of batting does provide a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further.
“The challenge obviously has been that top order batsmen have found life difficult throughout the series, and we want to give an opportunity for a different line up going into the next two Tests.
“In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides further options in the fast bowling space. It has been pleasing to see his successful return throughout the early part of the domestic summer.”
Australia: Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (WK), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
