Legendary spinner Shane Warne has named his Australia XI for the upcoming first Test against India in which he has picked up Matthew Wade and Marcus Harris as openers.
Will Pucovski and David Warner, who seemed all set to open for Australia at the Adelaide Oval, have both been ruled out of the day-night Test which begins Thursday.
Warner had injured his adductor muscle in the field during the second ODI against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), while Pucovski sustained a concussion in the tour match at the Drummoyne Oval last week.
Warne's first Test XI does not feature opener Joe Burns who has been struggling for form in the recent times. In the two tour games, Burns returned with scores of 4, 0, 0 and 1 and looked completely out of sorts. Warne has also picked Shaun Marsh as stand-by in case all-rounder Cameron Green doesn't get fit for the Adelaide Test.
"My Test team for Adelaide now that Burns looks horribly out of form and injuries to Warner & young Pucovski. Fingers crossed Green will be ok," Warne tweeted along with his Australia XI.
Adelaide Test will also be the only game of the four-match in which India captain Virat Kohli will take part. After that, Kohli will return to India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child.
Shane Warne Australia XI for 1st Test: Matthew Wade, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathon Lyon, Josh Hazlewood