Chennai: The suspense over David Warner’s availability for the first Test against India ended on Wednesday with Australia naming him in the playing XI, which will also see all-rounder Moises Henriques making his debut.
The announcement foll-owed speculation over the opener who is recovering from a thumb injury. He will now bat with a splint.
Portuguese-born all-rounder Henriques is in line for a Test debut ahead of another uncapped player, Glenn Maxwell, who has been named as 12th man.
Speedster James Pattinson, whose summer was cut short by a side injury, has been recalled as the third fast bowler alongside Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle.
The tourists will, however, surprisingly field only one frontline spinner in Nathan Lyon, with captain Michael Clarke and Warner sharing the spin burden.
Henriques, who will become the 432nd player to make his debut, looked in good form in Australia’s two warm-up matches, scoring 16 and 33 as well as taking 4-12 and 1-30 with the ball.
Team: Michael Clarke (C), Ed Cowan, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson. (PTI)
