Injured Clarke included in Australia squad for 1st India Test

Sydney, Nov 24: Australia have included their injured captain Michael Clarke in the 12-man squad for the first Test against India.

India tour of Australia: Fixtures, match times, TV Schedule

The selectors today named the squad for the opening Test of the four-match series, which begins in Brisbane on December 4.

Uncapped paceman Josh Hazlewood made the cut while Clarke was picked subject to a fitness test on the left hamstring he injured in the recent ODI series against South Africa.

Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell have been dropped from the team that faced Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Paceman Ryan Harris has returned.

National selector Rod Marsh said, "Michael Clarke has been included subject to fitness. We would have preferred him to play in the round of Sheffield Shield starting tomorrow but unfortunately his condition did not allow him enough time to be ready for that match.

"The aim is for him to play in the two-day CA XI match against India at the Adelaide Oval starting this Friday and his selection for the first Test is very much dependent on him pulling up well from that match.

"It goes without saying that Michael is a world-class batsman and it is important that he is 100 per cent fit to be able to play in the first Test."

Australian Team Doctor Peter Brukner said: "We still have some time before having to make a final decision on Michael's fitness.

"As you would expect, he's desperate to play and we are doing all that we can to ensure he can do just that. Over the coming days the plan is to build him up so that he can resume running with the ultimate aim of getting him some high-intensity match practice ahead of the first Test."

Australia squad for first Test

Michael Clarke (captain), Brad Haddin (vice-captain, wicketkeeper), Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.

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