Australia squad for India tour announced

Michael Clarke will be looking to lead his team to success against India next month.

Australia have announced a 17 man squad for their upcoming tour of India, with as many as 4 spinners named for the visit to the sub-continent.

Nathan lyon, Xavier Doherty, Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith make up the spin quartet, with explosive opening batsmen David Warner also included despite a thumb fracture which ruled him out of the first two ODIs against the West Indies.

Usman Khwaja has been selected as a replacement for the now-retired Michael Hussey, with the squad also featuring Moises Henriques as a bowling all-rounder, after Shane Watson decided to focus solely on his batting.

John Inverarity, national selector said, “This squad has the flexibility that will be required for the varying conditions expected in India, and it will provide valuable experience to a number of young players.

“The squad includes a spin bowling all-rounder in Maxwell and a medium-fast all-rounder in Moises Henriques.

“In aiming for more depth in a bowling attack, the squad would allow for three pace bowlers, a leading spinner and Maxwell, or two pace bowlers, the two spinners and Henriques. These are two of the options.”

The pace bowling department, meanwhile, is spearheaded by Mitchell Johnson, and also includes Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Jackson Bird.

Full Australia squad:

David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Jackson Bird, Xavier Doherty, Nathan Lyon.