THE LOWDOWN ON AUSTRALIA'S 16-STRONG TEST SQUAD TO TAKE ON INDIA
DAVID WARNER Age: 30 Tests: 60 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 49.16 Test batting average in Asia: 33.16 Remains just as capable of turning a Test in a single session but has become a far more polished person and productive batsman since his first tour of India 2013.
MATT RENSHAW Age: 20 Tests: 4 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 63 Test batting average in Asia: N/A Showed great composure at the crease on debut at Adelaide Oval, likewise in a knock of 184 at the SCG during his most recent Test. Scored a total of 21 runs in Australia's tour game.
USMAN KHAWAJA Age: 30 Tests: 23 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 47.94 Test batting average in Asia: 19.16
Was dumped from the Test XI during last year's 3-0 series loss to Sri Lanka. Enjoyed a fruitful summer but, if not promoted to open with Warner, faces the axe again.
STEVE SMITH (capt) Age: 27 Tests: 50 Playing role: Right-handed batsman Test batting average: 60.15 Test batting average in Asia: 41.57 Started his captaincy with an undefeated streak of 11 Tests but that ended unceremoniously last year when Australia dropped five straight Tests. Widely recognised as one of the best batsmen in the world.
SHAUN MARSH Age: 33 Tests: 19 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 40.15 Test batting average in Asia: 78.60 Has had a stop-start Test career since debuting in 2011 but likely to be given a chance to thrive at second drop in this series. Scored a ton in Australia's tour game against India A.
PETER HANDSCOMB Age: 25 Tests: 4 Playing role: Right-handed batsman Test batting average: 99.75 Test batting average in Asia: N/A Already has two tons, having made a seamless transition to Test cricket following the mid-summer overhaul of the XI. Reputation as a talented player of spin will be put to the test.
MITCH MARSH Age: 25 Tests: 19 Playing role: Right-handed allrounder (medium pace) Test batting average: 23.18 Test batting average in Asia: 32.70 Test bowling average: 37.27 Test bowling average in Asia: 114.00 Expected to return to the Test side for the first time since being dumped in November, when selectors grew tired of his lean trot with the bat. A patient knock of 75 against India A was impressive.
MATTHEW WADE Age: 29 Tests: 16 Playing role: Wicketkeeper Test batting average: 30.59 Test batting average in Asia: 18.83 Recalled at the expense of Peter Nevill for last year's day-night Test in Adelaide. Suffered a back injury earlier this month but proved fitness and form with a half-century against India A.
MITCHELL STARC Age: 27 Tests: 34 Playing role: Left-arm fast Test bowling average: 28.29 Test bowling average in Asia: 25.21 Now one of the first picked in the XI, it is staggering to think he was dropped from the Test team 11 times prior to claiming the mantle of spearhead in 2015. Impressed throughout Australia's tour of Sri Lanka last year.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD Age: 26 Tests: 26 Playing role: Right-arm fast-medium Test bowling average: 24.78 Test bowling average in Asia: 32.71 Australia's most consistent bowler throughout the home summer, when he played all six Tests and created wickets in good times and bad. Offers great control and will ask a lot of questions of the tourists with the new ball.
NATHAN LYON Age: 29 Tests: 63 Playing role: Right-arm offbreak Test bowling average: 34.07 Test bowling average in Asia: 42.57 Australia's most prolific Test offspinner. The cult hero struggled in Sri Lanka last year and will now be targeted by some of the world's best players of spin.
STEVE O'KEEFE Age: 32 Tests: 4 Playing role: Slow left-arm orthodox Test bowling average: 32.78 Test bowling average in Asia: 41.85 Expected to bowl long spells in tandem with Lyon during the first Test, while he can be a stubborn batsman to remove. Opted to play grade cricket instead of the Big Bash League prior to flying out to the squad's training camp in Dubai.
GLENN MAXWELL Age: 28 Tests: 3 Playing role: Right-handed allrounder (offbreak) Test batting average: 13.33 (all 3 Tests in Asia) Test bowling average: 38.71 Was dropped from the ODI side last year and publicly rebuked by Smith for critiquing Wade's captaincy at Victoria. Back in favour with selectors but failed to fire in tune-up and may only get a chance on a raging turner.
ASHTON AGAR Age: 23 Tests: 2 Playing role: Left-handed allrounder (orthodox) Test batting average: 32.50 Test batting average in Asia: N/A Test bowling average: 124 Test bowling average in Asia: N/A Could be given a chance to add another spellbinding moment to the incredible 98 he scored on debut as a 19-year-old, batting at No.11 in the 2013 Ashes.
JACKSON BIRD Age: 30 Tests: 8 Playing role: Right-arm fast-medium Test bowling average: 27.47 Test bowling average in Asia: N/A Impressed selectors and Smith as Australia's third seamer for three Tests during the recent home summer. The nature of Indian pitches mean that he is unlikely to play unless Starc or Hazlewood suffer a setback.
MITCHELL SWEPSON Age: 23 Tests: 0 Playing role: Legbreak Test bowling average: N/A The only uncapped player in the squad was a genuine bolter given he's played 14 first-class games. Shane Warne is a big fan of his work.
