AAP
National selector John Inverarity is confident injured opener David Warner will recover in time to take part in Australia's four-Test tour of India, starting on February 22.
And Usman Khawaja is a strong chance to make his Test return in the first match against India as Australia attempts to fill the void left by retired batsman Mike Hussey.
Warner, who fractured his left thumb on Wednesday after being struck at training, was named in Australia's 17-man Test squad on Thursday.
Although Warner is almost certain to miss the entire five-match one-day series against the West Indies, Inverarity said the 26-year-old was expected to be fit for the tour of India.
"The indications are that he'll certainly be OK for the first Test starting on the 22nd of February," Inverarity said on Thursday.
Five pace bowlers were included in the Test squad, with Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Jackson Bird all earning the nod.
Tweakers Nathan Lyon and Xavier Doherty are a chance to play as a duo on the spin-friendly Indian wickets, while Moises Henriques and Glenn Maxwell were selected as the squad's allrounders.
Steve Smith was also selected in the squad as a back-up batsman.
Khawaja hasn't played in the Test side since December 2011, but is a strong chance to be named in the XI for the first Test against India in Chennai.
"I was in Canberra the other day when he got 69 against the West Indies and played really well," Inverarity said.
"So I think Usman is a very good chance of being in the first Test team."
Inverarity said spin-bowling allrounder Maxwell and seam-bowling allrounder Henriques, both uncapped, gave the squad enormous flexibility.
"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," Inverarity said.
Australia will play two warm-up matches ahead of the first Test in Chennai.
However, the squad is expected to be split in two, as some players will be held back to play in the third, fourth and fifth one-day internationals against the West Indies on February 6, 8 and 10 in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
The squad for the last three ODI games will be announced on Saturday.
Aust 17-man squad for India: Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, James Pattinson, Xavier Doherty, Jackson Bird, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith.
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