Australian Test squad: Will Pucovski, Cameron Green named, Pat Cummins sole vice-captain

Will Pucovski is the golden boy everyone wants to see play Test cricket – but David Warner may have the final say. FULL TEST SQUAD HERE.

The victorious Australian team during Day 4 of the Sydney Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the SCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Will Pucovski has been declared “good to go” by selectors for a baptism of fire against India in the first Test, but David Warner will be consulted on the final decision.

National Selector Trevor Hohns reflected the excitement of the nation on Thursday when he ushered Pucovski and all-round prodigy Cameron Green into the Test arena, as well as confirming Pat Cummins would take the reins as captain if something was to happen to Tim Paine.

Pucovski has smashed 595 runs from his last two matches at an average of 297, although they’re the only two outings he’s had as an opener.

Watch every ODI, T20 & Test Match of India’s tour of Australia LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

David Warner (inset) will be consulted on who he wants to open with, as Will Pucovski leads the race over Joe Burns.

Despite that lack of experience at the top of the order, selectors are adamant the Victorian is a natural-born opener.

Hohns stopped well short of guaranteeing Pucovski’s Test debut in Adelaide next month – pressing the point that Joe Burns’ incumbency will count for plenty in a looming selection showdown, in which Warner will be consulted on who partners him.

But the fact selectors are confident 22-year-old Pucovski is both mentally ready for the Test stage and a perfect fit as an opener is a major endorsement of the Victorian’s chances of launching one of the most anticipated careers in decades.

“Will’s in fantastic form. He’s not just in good form, he’s in great form. I think that’s undeniable,” Hohns said.

“As far as Will goes, and that goes with all our players, we check their health and wellbeing.

“Will’s good to go. We’re hopeful he’ll be fine all the way through.

“Will has the game to handle (opening) … as we’ve seen already. OK, it’s only a couple of games, but prior to that he’s been batting at No.3. He certainly has the technique to handle the opening position if required.

“As far as whether he’ll make the starting line-up, we’ll address that closer to the time.”

The expectation is that Pucovski has become an irresistible choice ahead of Burns, who has a solid Test career, but has struggled for runs to start the Sheffield Shield season.

But Hohns suggested Burns’ strong combination with Warner and incumbency in a team that went to No.1 in the world earlier this year has him poised for a potential selection bat-off when the pair line-up alongside each other for Australia A in a tour match against India A in early December.

Joe Burns is still in the frame to retain his Test spot. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“It could well do. We’ll use the Australia A games as preparation for some of our Test players,” said Hohns.

“Joe Burns is the incumbent. There’s no doubt about that. The partnership he formed with David Warner has been instrumental in helping Australia get to the No.1 position in the world Test rankings. We’ll take all that into account.

“But of course it would be nice to have everybody in form right now. We still have those Australia A games to have a look prior to selection for the first Test match.

“It’s important (David Warner) is comfortable as well, provided we are of course, with the person he opens with. We certainly do consult players on such issues.”

Cameron Green has also made the Test squad. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Green, 21, is the other young superstar knocking at the door – and an all-round talent who could change the shape of Australian Test cricket – but to debut he must also overcome the incumbency of Travis Head and Matthew Wade, who have performed even better than Burns.

“He’s an immense talent as we know … OK, we’ve got to be very careful and mindful of his workloads and just how many overs he can bowl, but to see him bowl again is quite exciting,” said Hohns.

MORE CRICKET NEWS

Cricket Australia reveal new Indigenous strip, D’Arcy Short set for T20 call up

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup shines light on rising stars

Fast bowling ace Cummins was elevated as Tim Paine’s sole vice-captain, but Hohns claimed it was too early to say whether that indicated Steve Smith’s chances of returning to the captaincy had sailed.

“All I can answer to that one is that discussions haven’t been had yet,” he said.

“He will obviously be probably a contender, but whether we go down that path or not depends on when that arises. Tim Paine hasn’t gone yet, put it that way. So we’ll worry about that in due course.”

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 A: Sean Abbott (NSW), Ashton Agar (WA), Joe Burns (QLD), Jackson Bird (TAS), Alex Carey (SA), Harry Conway (NSW), Cameron Green (WA), Marcus Harris (VIC), Travis Head (SA), Moises Henriques (NSW), Nic Maddinson (VIC), Mitchell Marsh (WA - subject to fitness), Michael Neser (QLD), Tim Paine (TAS), James Pattinson (VIC), Will Pucovski (VIC), Mark Steketee (QLD), Will Sutherland (VIC), Mitchell Swepson (QLD)