• Australia recall Harris for West Indies Tests

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    Opening batsman Marcus Harris has been recalled to Australia’s Test squad for two clashes against the West Indies, while Travis Head retained his place despite poor recent form.

    Harris featured in last year’s successful Ashes campaign against England but was axed and overlooked for Australia’s Test trip to Sri Lanka in July with Usman Khawaja preferred as David Warner’s opening partner.

    Khawaja is again expected to open with Harris as backup in a slimmed-down 13-man squad.

    “Marcus Harris regains his place after continuing to perform for Gloucestershire in the English county competition and a strong start to the Sheffield Shield season,” said chairman of selectors George Bailey.

    Head keeps his place despite poor form in Australia’s domestic Sheffield Shield competition with the top six – Warner, Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Head and Cameroon Green – unchanged.

    The squad is smaller than ones in recent years when Covid-19 protocols were in place, with fast bowlers Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson, and leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson missing out.

    “After some larger squads for the sub-continent tours over the winter, we have returned to a very similar squad to that which performed strongly last summer in comprehensively winning the Ashes,” said Bailey.

    Australia play two Tests, in Perth and Adelaide, against the West Indies from 30 November ahead of three Tests against South Africa with the squad for that series yet to be named.

    Before that, Australia host three ODIs against England in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne on 17, 19 and 22 November respectively where Pat Cummins will be captain for the first time after Aaron Finch retired from the 50-over format.

    Nine of the Test squad will face England, meaning they will play the West Indies with no recent red-ball experience.

    Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

    Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

    © Agence France-Presse

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    Simon Borchardt