Australia hand debut to Marcus Harris: Australia have announced their playing XI ahead of first Test against India tomorrow.

Australia have handed Victoria opening batsman Marcus Harris a Test debut ahead of the first Test of the four-match much-awaited Test series against India at Adelaide. The 26-year old southpaw has earned his place in the side on the back of consistent performances over the years and in the recent times.

The development means that Australia will open the batting with Harris and Aaron Finch in the first Test. While they had the option of sending in Usman Khawaja alongside Finch and play an extra batsman in the middle-order, Australia decided against it.

As a result, vice-captain and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been dropped from the playing XI. Peter Handscomb, who last played for Australia during the tour of South Africa earlier this year, has been given a comeback.

While Handscomb’s presence in the middle order bolster Australia batting line-up, it has come at the cost of Mitchell Marsh’s bowling. Travis Head, who will bat at No. 6, might play an enhanced role with his off-spin likely to come into play.

Australia have named a predicted bowling line-up comprising of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. At their full strength, the attack has it in it to dominate the Indian batsmen, who have hitherto struggle to cope up in foreign conditions.

Australia’s playing XI for first Test against India

 

BREAKING

Australia XI for the first Test: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood #AUSvIND

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 5, 2018

Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on the same below:

 

Khawaja will get out cheaply in all the tests. But, one man I expect to redeem himself is Shaun Marsh – he likes Indian bowlers and if he is in good mental state, this IS going toe the series for him.

— Sankar (@santhasa75) December 5, 2018

Australia winning this 2-1 or 3-0. They can bat till Starc.

— BitterSweetSymphony🌿 (@PluviophilePoet) December 5, 2018

Getting closer to our best team!

Great decisions on Handscombe
And Harris deserves a spot

Big series for Finch and Head

— Trent Ball (@RealTrentBall) December 5, 2018

M Marsh misses,Tim Paine himself is not in good form.Alex Carey is better option.Fallins if given chance can prove worth. And where is Peter siddle?

Batting wise this combination is lacking in lower order if handscomb and khwaja fails

Short is also good all arounder

— Sachin Suryavanshi (@sachinv70) December 5, 2018

NO MITCH MARSH AND WE GET MARCUS HARRIS! We really are going to do well with the selectors and Langer as coach 😍😍

— ✪ Pokey 🇦🇺 (@xPokeyyy) December 5, 2018

Bowlers, please don’t repeat the mistakes of the past – letting the opponents recover – after having them on the mat. Dry up the runs, dot-ball-after-dot-ball and wickets are there. Go Aus !! Good luck !!

— Prasnav (@Prasnav21) December 5, 2018

Why don’t they give a chance to Matt Ranshaw for Open

— Bhupesh Damre (@BhupeshDamre) December 5, 2018

I miss the to big player against India @stevesmith49 & @davidwarner31 👍✌💪

— Ayub Khan Pti☄ (@ayub_ajnabi) December 5, 2018

@AaronFinch5 I’ve been calling for your Test inclusion for years buddy. Good luck tomorrow. Make us proud.

— JimtheCat (@JimtheC) December 5, 2018