Australia India Test tour squad: Peter Handscomb named but in doubt with injury

Australia are nervously awaiting scans for one of their stars ahead of the first Test against India, while the return date of two other injured players has become clearer. See full squad details.

Australia is sweating on a Peter Handscomb scan on Thursday after a late injury scare, but the return dates for Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc in India have at least become clearer.

As revealed by News Corp, Handscomb copped a blow to his hip in a Melbourne club game on Tuesday night, just 12 hours before the Victorian was named to return to the Test fold for the first time in four years as a key utility in the Australian squad.

Selectors are hopeful for good news to compliment the big boost that superstar all-rounder Green will be fit to return from his broken finger for the first Test in Nagpur on February 9.

“We’re hopeful he should be right for the first Test,” National Selector George Bailey said.

“But if not that’s OK. We feel like we’ve got the squad that can cover that.”

Australia await scans on Peter Handscomb’s hip, going down injured just twelve hours before being named for a potential Test recall. Picture: Getty Images.

Green’s presence in Nagpur could be critical, because it’s a notorious viper’s nest of a surface and one where Australia may need to pick three spinners.

Having Green at No.6 to bowl seam overs could help facilitate such a plan.

Meanwhile, Starc’s most likely return date from his finger tendon damage might be the third Test in Dharamsala.

Starc won’t fly to India until after the first Test, and that won’t give him much time to prove his fitness for the second Test in Delhi.

With a big gap between the second and third Tests, Starc may be kept on ice until the second half of the series.

Handscomb’s injury has thrown a spanner in the works, but selectors are confident a scan will clear him of serious damage.

Handscomb suffered the injury while playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL. Picture: Getty Images.

“Pete’s got a scan tomorrow morning I believe to check on that,” National Selector, George Bailey said.

“He’s confident it’s nothing too serious. A bit of a mishap. He copped a ball on the back hip. And then three balls later he dispatched one (for six) and just felt something give a little bit in there.

“I don’t really have any more information than that. We’ll get the scan tomorrow. Clearly there’s still quite a bit of time between now and when we depart and then even when the first Test is. We’ll work through that as we get more information.”

Selectors are hopeful Cameron Green will be ready to go, after suffering a broken finger. Picture: Getty Images.

Selectors have backed in Handscomb instead of the country’s No.2 wicketkeeper Josh Inglis in a calculated risk.

The feeling is Inglis has spent too much time on tour recently without playing and will be better served playing for WA in the Sheffield Shield.

If injury did strike keeper Alex Carey on tour, Inglis would be immediately flown over. But in the meantime, Handscomb can serve as an emergency back-up gloveman and adds plenty to the squad as an experienced sub-continental batsman and expert close-in fielder in Indian conditions.

AUSSIE BACK-UP CAST ASIDE FOR INDIA SERIES, INJURED STARS PICKED

Peter Handscomb has suffered an injury scare playing club cricket on Tuesday night and is under a cloud for next month’s tour of India.

Handscomb was named in an 18-man Australian squad on Wednesday as a batting reserve and back-up wicketkeeper but will now need to be assessed by medical staff before being passed fit to travel with the squad in a couple of weeks’ time.

It’s understood Handscomb hurt his hip in a seemingly innocuous knock while batting in club cricket in Melbourne on Tuesday night, but collapsed after hitting a six three balls later.

Handscomb immediately retired hurt as a precaution and spoke to selectors before the squad was finalised.

Pete Handscomb left the field retired hurt in tonight’s @VicSuperSlam after this innocuous hit. He managed to see off a further three balls, but fell heavily on his final ball while hitting it for six. Fingers crossed it’s not of concern with a potential Indian tour on the cards. pic.twitter.com/Cr4n2WlvPt

— Tyler Lewis (@tmlew_) January 10, 2023

Ever seen someone retire hurt immediately after hitting a six?

Australia's Peter Handscomb dropped to the floor after doing just that, with what appears to be a serious rib injury playing club cricket today in Melbourne. He was struck in the body earlier in the innings. pic.twitter.com/Z4vN8QggIL

— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) January 10, 2023

Australia still have plenty of time to change tack if needed, but will hope Handscomb’s issue is only minor and can recover in time to tour.

National Selector George Bailey said Handscomb was a key part of the squad.

“Peter Handscomb deserves his place back in the squad,” Bailey said.

“His domestic form has been strong recently and Pete has proven he can perform at Test level.

“His experience against spin on the subcontinent is valuable and he is also an exceptionally good close to the wicket catcher.”

Batsman Marcus Harris was left out of the squad, with Handscomb and Matthew Renshaw preferred for subcontinental conditions.

In a worse-case scenario where Handscomb had to be ruled out, Josh Inglis might replace him, given the need for wicketkeeping insurance.

Fast bowler Lance Morris has been picked for his first ever Australian Test tour and with Mitchell Starc to miss the first Test, could be a chance for early matches if selectors feel they need his air speed.

Peter Handscomb suffered an injury in local cricket on Tuesday night. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Starc will not join the squad until after the first Test which starts on February 9, suggesting he may also be in severe doubt for the second Test in Delhi.

Cameron Green has been named despite his broken finger and is in contention to play the first Test.

Bailey said the team was ready for the challenge of beating India in India – arguably cricket’s toughest mountain to climb.

“After a successful home summer the squad is excited by the challenge a Test tour to the subcontinent provides,” Bailey said.

“We have selected a squad that provides the depth and flexibility required to adapt depending on the conditions we may encounter.”

As reported by News Corp, Australia has chosen four spinners – Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Todd Murphy and Mitchell Swepson.

Bailey identified Agar as a key man for his left-arm spin.

“Ashton Agar continues to impress following his comeback in Sydney and we believe left-arm finger spin will play an important role in Indian conditions,” Bailey said.