Josh Hazlewood Picks India-Australia Combined Test XI; No Place for Shami, Jadeja

In a recent conversation with WION, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has picked up a combined India-Australia Test XI ahead of their showdown in December. The team could come up as a surprise to many as a few prominent names failed to make the cut. For those who don’t know, Australia and India are scheduled to play a series on Australian soil. Hazlewood, who is going to be a vital cog in the Australian set-up, came up with his combined Australia-India Test XI.

Josh Hazlewood picks himself ahead of Starc, Jadeja and Shami also miss out

While selecting the team, Hazlewood broke the trend to pick the batsmen first and chose the bowlers first instead. He decided to pick fellow seamer Pat Cummins, himself, and Jasprit Bumrah from India to complete the pace attack.

Starting from quicks, I will have myself in (laughs) with Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah,

Josh Hazlewood told WION while picking up the pacers. In the spin department, Josh picked up Nathan Lyon and Ashwin as his 2 spinners. He said if the match is in Australia then he would go for Lyon but if the match is in India then Ashwin would play in his side.

In Australian conditions, I will have Nathan Lyon and in Indian conditions, Ravichandran Ashwin,

Hazlewood added. In the batting department, Hazlewood picked up Mayank Agarwal and David Warner as his openers, Steven Smith at number 3, Virat Kohli at number 4, and Cheteshwar Pujara at number 5 to form a formidable batting unit. At number 6, he kept his options open between Rohit Sharma and Marnus Labuschagne.

Openers would be Mayank Agarwal – taking future in consideration – and David Warner. Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara are automatic picks at three, four and five. At no. six…I will have Marnus Labuschagne or Rohit Sharma given their ability to change the game,

Josh Hazlewood concluded. He interestingly didn’t pick any wicketkeeper in the side.

Hazlewood’s India-Australia combined Test XI:

David Warner, Mayank Agarwal, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma/Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon/Ravichandran Ashwin, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Jasprit Bumrah.