Australian squad announced for Perth Test with two potential Test debutants

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the 13-member Australian men’s national cricket team for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The squad has been set up with two potential Test debutants. 

India are set to tour Australia for a five-match Test series. Perth Stadium will host the Test series opener, starting on November 22. Australia have lost their last four Test series against India, including twice at home.  

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is crucial for both teams to secure their place for the ongoing ICC World Test Championship final. While Australia are the defending champions, India were runners-up in the first two editions. 

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Scott Boland is the fourth pacer

Pat Cummins is set to captain the Australian team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are the other key pacers, along with Scott Boland, who played his last Test during the 2023 Leeds Test. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is also set to play a key role against India. 

Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis are waiting for Test debuts

Uncapped Nathan McSweeney is set to make his Test debut as the 25-year-old right-handed batter will be the opening partner of the experienced Usman Khawaja. While there are no surprise names in the batting line-up, white-ball experienced Josh Inglis has been named in the 13-member squad, and he is waiting for his Test debut. 

McSweeney has scored 291 runs in two matches of the ongoing Sheffield Sheild season, where he has hit one century and two half-centuries. 

Recently, McSweeney played for the first time as an opener in his first-class career during Australia A facing India A in the second unofficial Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. While he led both the unofficial Tests of the series, he scored 14 and 25 as an opener on the tricky pitch at the MCG. In the first unofficial Test, he scored 39 and 88 not out. 

Australian 13-member Test squad against India for the Perth Test

Pat Cummins (Captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc