Pucovski, Green in: Australia put faith in young blood for Test squad to face India in 2020/21 series

Australia is set to put its faith in young blood against India in national team’s upcoming 2020/21 series, with rising stars Will Pucovski and Cameron Green headlining a team that includes five uncapped youngsters.

Australia’s national selectors have let the wheels begin turning towards the next generation of Australian cricket, naming a Test squad chock-full of young guns ahead of the 2020/21 series against India.

Pat Cummins, widely regarded as heir-apparent to Tim Paine’s captaincy, has also been named the skipper’s sole deputy. Michael Neser, Sean Abbott, Pucovski, Green, and spinner Mitchell Swepson make up the team’s cohort of fresh-faced rookies.

Burns, 31, is perhaps the 17’s only surprise selection; he has struggled for form in recent months.

Youngsters Cameron Green and Will Pucovski are included in Australia's 17-player squad to take on India in the Vodafone Test Series! 🙌

Australia A squad + more from National Selector Trevor Hohns: https://t.co/sNmm32L2zt pic.twitter.com/BlbCOva9cB

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 12, 2020

Trevor Hohns, one of Australia’s key national selectors, admitted Pucovski and Green “demanded selection” through their scintillating form in the Sheffield Shield over the past few months.

Pucovski, just 22, in particular, has been on the lips of every Australian cricket fan leading into the Indian summer. The young star piled on a record-high 495 runs — including back-to-back double centuries — in Victoria’s recent Sheffield Shield opener.

He was last selected in the Test squad against Sri Lanka two years ago, but did not play.

Green, who plays for Western Australia in first-class cricket, is perhaps the even more exciting addition of the two. He has been dubbed “the best batting talent since Ricky Ponting” by Greg Chappell, and is eager to prove it too.

He hefted out 197 against New South Wales last month, and has begun adding bowling to his all-rounder game for WA too.

“Their undeniable form demanded selection and we are very pleased to have these young men in the squad for what will be a tremendous Test Series against an extremely formidable opponent,” Hohns said.

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“Cameron has already won selection in the white-ball squad and continues that in joining the Test squad. He is a wonderful young talent who has great potential to become an all-rounder of substance over time. His batting alone has demanded his place in the squad.

“Will’s record-breaking start to the summer has been exceptional,” he continued.

“His ability to show such patience is something which stands him in good stead for Test cricket and he is in rare company with two double centuries to start the summer. We very much look forward to Will developing further on the international stage.”

Test Squad: David Warner, Will Pucovski, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, Sean Abbott.

Australia vs India fixtures, 2020/21

• December 17-21: Adelaide Oval (d/n)
• December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground
• January 7-11: Sydney Cricket Ground
• January 15-19: Brisbane Cricket Ground

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