HYDERABAD: Australia have handed a debut to Victorian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, one of a two changes to the team for the second Test starting at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday.
In a selection surprise off-spinner Nathan Lyon was left out of the side, as was left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, with Australia option for the brand-new spin pair of Maxwell and Xavier Doherty.
Maxwell, 24, was 12th man for Australia’s past two Test matches, in Sydney in January and for the eight-wicket defeat to India in Chennai earlier this week. He was presented with his baggy green cap at the ground on Saturday morning by Matthew Hayden.
The inclusion of Maxwell leaves the visitors with two all-rounders, with Moises Henriques providing seam-bowling support to frontline fast bowlers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle.
Lyon, 25, was the recipient of heavy treatment from India's batsmen, chiefly their captain MS Dhoni, in the first Test. His snubbing, however, leaves Australia with two spinners with only the two Tests between them.
Doherty made his only two appearances against England during the home Ashes series defeat in 2010/11, and enters the match in Hyderabad with a Test bowling average in excess of 100.
Australian skipper Micharl Clarke offered his thoughts on the pitch after winning the toss and electing to bat.
"It feels harder than Chennai. Still spin will play a big part. Might see a bit up-and-down from the fast bowlers, as it will deteriorate as the game goes on," Clarke said.
Indian captain MS Dhoni agreed, believing pace bowlers will get more joy from the pitch.
"Looks like a different track, quite different from Chennai. Important we start well with the new ball. Will be a bit more pace and bounce. Reverse swing will play a role, as it looks on the drier side."
Australia: Cowan, Warner, Hughes, Watson, Clarke (c), Wade, Henriques, Maxwell, Pattinson, Siddle, Doherty.
India: Vijay, Sehwag, Pujara, Tendulkar, Kohli, Dhoni (c), Jadeja, Ashwin, Singh, Kumar, Sharma.
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