Australian XI for 1st Test confirmed

Australia has confirmed its XI for the first test match against India, with Moises Henriques poised to debut, in front of fellow all-rounder Glen Maxwell. Australia have also decided on only one specialist spinner (Nathan Lyon). The other decision to be made was where Shane Watson would bat, and it appears he will stay at no.4, as David Warner looks set to play.

The full XI and my thoughts:

1 David Warner
He has been battling a fractured thumb, ever since he was hit in the nets by Mitchell Johnson in the late part of the Australian summer. His selection is a contentious one, as if he is not 100% right, I don't know why he would be worth the risk. Watson could easily move up to opener and Khawaja could come in. Nonetheless it will be interesting to see how he goes in the match facing large amounts of spin, without playing any warm-up matches.

2 Ed Cowan
Cowan has played well in the warm-up games and despite external pressure in the media deserves his place. He is the one batsman in the top order who can hold down a fort and place a high value on his wicket. Although his batting against spin (like many other batsmen in this team) will need to improve greatly. A failure for him, plus any runs from Watson will only build the pressure on him.

3 Phillip Hughes
Hughes has a big opportunity to further stamp his authority on the no.3 position, and essentially become the next Ricky Ponting in Australian cricket. He undoubtedly has the talent, but whether or not he can pull it together in spin friendly conditions is yet to be proven.

4 Shane Watson
Impressed in the warm-up games, but for the foreseeable future he will be in the middle order, rather than up the top. Will have to face a lot of spin, which will test him significantly. One thing which has not been spoken about as much, is his absence on the bowling crease on this tour, which will hurt the aussies.

5 Michael Clarke
Best batsman in the team by far. Best player of spin in the team by far. It is fair to say that without a big match from him, Australia will struggle to get a win in the 1st test. Hopefully he is over his hamstring troubles.

6 Matthew Wade
Now pushed up to no.6 which will be a big test for him. He is now expected to score consistently and post big scores, rather than chip in with 20's or 30's. It will be interesting to see how he fares. His keeping was also under question in the home summer, but with no back-up keeper in the squad, its his batting which will be under the spotlight more.

7 Moises Henriques
Going to debut over fellow all-rounder Glen Maxwell. His impressive bowling form in the first warm-up game would have played a large part in his inclusion. Made 385 runs at an average of 77 and also took 14 wickets at 18 in the Sheffield Shield over September - November.

8 Mitchell Starc
Played extremely well in the recent ODI's against Sri Lanka and the West Indies. This will be a far greater challenge though, and he will need to prove himself on a much flatter pitch, than the paceman's paradise of the WACA.

9 Peter Siddle
The spearhead of the attack, and is the only one of the bowlers to have played a test match in India. As a matter of fact only he, Watson and Clarke have. Will need to keep banging in all day to get any reward on a flat deck.

10 James Pattinson
Returning to the XI after injury curtailed his home test summer. On form, is definitely one of the best three pacemen for Australia, but will be challenged in his first test in India.

11 Nathan Lyon
Lyon will be under nearly the most pressure in the team. On the turning deck, and as the only specialist spinner, he will be expected to perform. It will be tough for him due to the Indian's ability to play spin well. With Doherty waiting in the wings, he would like to bowl well in this match to keep those doubters at bay.

I will post a full preview of the series in the next couple of days.