Australia recall Ryan Harris for Sydney Test
Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris was Friday named to the 12-man squad to take on India in the second Test in Sydney, the only addition to the side which won the series opener in Melbourne.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: December 30, 2011 07:48 AM IST
Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris was Friday named to the 12-man squad to take on India in the second Test in Sydney, the only addition to the side which won the series opener in Melbourne.
Harris, who has been out with a hip injury, comes into the squad but fellow paceman Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Daniel Christian have been omitted and all-rounder Shane Watson remains sidelined by a calf injury.
National selector John Inverarity said Australia would go into the Sydney game "with confidence and momentum" after their emphatic 122-run victory over the tourists in four days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"Ryan Harris has been added to the XI that played in the first Test in Melbourne," Inverarity said.
"Ryan has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan.
"Mitchell Starc and Daniel Christian, who were both in squad for the first Test have been omitted but remain very much in our thinking."
Australian officials hope that Watson will be available to play in at least one Test during India's tour, which follows Australia's humiliating loss to eighth-ranked New Zealand earlier this month.
"Shane has not fully recovered from his right calf injury and is therefore not available for the Sydney Test," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.
"He will continue his rehabilitation and hopefully be available for one of the remaining Test matches."
Australia's pace trio of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus was crucial to the home side's win in Melbourne, snaring 19 wickets between them to limit India's strong batting line-up to a two-innings total of 451.
Harris could be used to aid their efforts in Sydney, with captain Michael Clarke saying Thursday that selectors would consider this possibility.
India, in the ascendancy over Australia as the second-ranked team, have failed in nine previous tours over 64 years to win a series Down Under.
Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Brad Haddin (vice-captain), Ed Cowan, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, David Warner.