Australia has made an enormous choice gamble for the opening Take a look at, axing Travis Head regardless of a career-best summer time from the left-hander.
Head was a surprising omission when Australian captain Pat Cummins revealed his staff on the toss, with Peter Handscomb recalled in his favour.
The 29-year-old pounded 525 runs at a mean of 87.50 in opposition to the West Indies and South Africa over the Australian summer time, however has struggled mightily within the subcontinent, averaging simply 21.30 seven Checks.
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Australian nice Matthew Hayden was amongst these surprised by Head’s omission, with the legendary opener admitting he was left “speechless” on the toss.
“I am unable to consider it. For me, he was the participant of the summer time,” Hayden stated on Fox Cricket’s protection.
“Completely totally different situations to Brisbane I do know, however his 90 there was so good. He made it look flat although it wasn’t, it was a raging green-top.”
Handscomb has performed 5 Checks in India and has averaged 25.25 in his earlier outings within the nation.
The 31-year-old hadn’t performed a Take a look at since January 2019 earlier than being recalled for the collection opener in Nagpur.
Hayden was removed from the one former Australian Take a look at legend to be surprised by the decision, with ex-captain Steve Waugh equally bemused.
”Onerous to consider we will drop the No.4 ranked Take a look at batsman on this planet and possibly our greatest batsman within the final 12 months plus he bowls higher than common off spin – let’s wait and see – perhaps the Aussie selectors are genius’s!” Waugh wrote on Instagram.
Former Australian keeper Brad Haddin steered Handscomb’s superior file in opposition to spin might have gotten him the nod over Head, who’s extra prolific in opposition to pacemen.
“Peter Handscomb is know as being a extremely good participant of spin bowling, he has performed properly right here up to now,” Brad Haddin stated on Fox Cricket’s protection.
“Travis Head’s file within the subcontinent has been poor.
“It will not be the final time we see him within the subcontinent, I believe he simply wants just a little bit extra time to get used to his recreation in these situations.”
Australia was pegged again on the primary session after profitable the toss and electing to bat first, shedding each Usman Khawaja and David Warner within the opening two overs.
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