Shane Warne picks Australia's playing XI for the pink-ball Test against India

Ahead of the much-anticipated four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australia’s veteran leg-spinner Shane Warne picked Australia’s playing XI for the first pink-ball Test, starting from December 17 in Adelaide. For the opening slot, Warne picked a new pair of Matthew Wade and Marcus Harris.

Marcus Harris was added in the Test squad as a replacement for Will Pucovski, who sustained concussion during the first practice game against Australia in Sydney and was hence ruled out of the first Test match against India. Shane believes that Harris can get the nod from the captain and management to open the innings as he had averaged 36 in his debut Test series against India in 2018-19 season and had a good Sheffield Shield stint recently.

Meanwhile, Australia’s other regular opening batsman David Warner has also been ruled out of the marquee day-night Test as he suffered a groin injury while playing in the second ODI against the Men in Blue. As a replacement for Warner, the former Australian captain went with the surprising choice of Matthew Wade instead of Joe Burns.

Shane Warne picks Shaun Marsh as a substitute for Cameron Green

The reason behind Shane Warne picking Wade ahead of Burns could be the poor form of the latter throughout the whole summer season. Joe failed to impress the selectors while playing two practice games against India A as he lost his wicket cheaply.

For the crucial slot of Number 3, Shane Warne went with the obvious choice of Marnus Labuschagne while he picked Steve Smith, Travis Head and Cameron Green as the middle-order of the hosts in the first Test. However, the availability of Green in the first game is not confirmed as he sustained a concussion during the second warm-up against India.

Thus as a substitute for Green, Shane Warne chose Shaun Marsh, who was dropped from the team after a poor stint in the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy against India, where the hosts had suffered a historic defeat by 1-2. However, Marsh had a good run in the Sheffield Shield Trophy and averages 34.32 in 38 Test matches.

Captain and wicketkeeper Tim Paine came next in Shane Warne’s XI while he picked a lethal bowling attack in the form of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.

Shane Warne’s XI: Matthew Wade, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (c & wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

My test team for Adelaide now that Burns looks horribly out of form and injuries to Warner & young Pucovski. Fingers crossed Green will be ok @FoxCricket

Wade
Harris
Marnus
Smith
Head
Green
Paine (c)
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

S Marsh on standby if Green is out

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 13, 2020