Australia and West Indies announce XIs ahead of first Test
Ahead of the first Test in Adelaide on Wednesday, both Australia and the West Indies have revealed their teams.
As Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed the inclusion of Cameron Green, West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite named three men to make their Test debuts.
Kavem Hodge and Justin Greaves have earned Test caps, as has Shamar Joseph, who impressed in their side's tour match against the Cricket Australia XI last week.
Steve Smith's wish to open the batting has been fufilled following the retirement of David Warner, meaning Green, who averages 65 in First Class at No.4, will bat in his preferred position.
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Playing XIs
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach
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The new-look side gives Australia an extra bowling option, meaning the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cummins himself could be managed, having all played significant roles in the Test series against Pakistan.
For the tourists, right-arm seamer Greaves of Barbados has a reputable First Class bowling record averaging 22.76, though will be leaned on more with the bat. Hodge, who averages a tick under 30 at First Class level, is entrusted to provide a similar role, albeit chipping in with his left-arm orthodox to compliment Gudakesh Motie.
There is an excitement surrounding Shamar Joseph (no relation to fellow team member Alzarri), who claimed two top-order wickets in their tour outing last week at Karen Rolton Oval.
The teams play two Tests as part of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle, before three ODIs and three T20Is.
Australia Test Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head (vc), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Zachary McCaskie
Tour Itinerary
First Test: January 17-21, Adelaide
Second Test: January 25-29, Brisbane
First ODI: February 2, Melbourne
Second ODI: February 4, Sydney
Third ODI: February 6, Canberra
First T20I: February 9, Hobart
Second T20I: February 11, Adelaide
Third T20I: February 13, Perth
