Thursday, 02 September 2010, 05:56pm
Hazlewood handed Test call-up
Teenage paceman Josh Hazlewood has received a shock call-up to the Australia Test squad to tour India next month, alongside fellow quick Peter George.
But selectors were unable to consider wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who hopes to have recovered from an elbow injury in time to play in the one-day series that follows in India, with Tim Paine to again don the gloves in his absence.
Opener Phillip Hughes, who dislocated his shoulder in May and had to undergo surgery to repair the damage, has also been recalled.
New South Wales bowler Hazlewood, 19, has played just six first-class games after making his debut in a tour match against New Zealand just under two years ago while 23-year-old George was a member of the Australia squad that drew 1-1 with Pakistan earlier this year in England, but did not take part in the series.
Hazlewood did, however, represent Australia in a one-day international against England in late June, the right-hander dismissing opener Craig Kieswetter to finish with one for 41 from seven overs and has claimed 17 wickets for the Blues with a best haul of three for 94.
After grabbing two for 53 from 18 overs and tow for 23 from 11.1 overs against the Black Caps at the SCG, Hazlewood did not play again for his state in the first-class arena that summer, with his Sheffield Shield debut coming more than a year later against Western Australia when he took four for 83.
National selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said: "The squad we have selected sees the return from injury of Phillip Hughes and includes a very good mix of experience and new young talent with Steven Smith, Hughes and two young fast bowlers in Peter George and Josh Hazlewood.
"All these exciting young players have the potential to have a big impact in international cricket for many years and the NSP is confident they will all equip themselves well if the opportunity presents itself on this tour."
Australia and India will go head to head in a two-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from October 1 in Mohali and from October 9 in Bangalore before contesting a three-match one-day series in Kochi (October 17), Visakhapatnam (October 20) and Goa (October 24).
Australia Test squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (v-c), Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith and Shane Watson.
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