Clarke prefers Lyon over Harris in Sydney

Australia on Monday retained the team that beat India in the opening Test in Melbourne, preferring spinner Nathan Lyon over pacer Ryan Harris for the second match starting on Tuesday.

"Australian skipper Michael Clarke has named an unchanged XI for the second Vodafone Test against India, with spinner Nathan Lyon preferred to quick Ryan Harris," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

There was speculation the Aussies would go with a four-pronged pace attack when Harris was called into the squad ahead of Mitchell Starc and Dan Christian following the 122-run win in Melbourne.

But Clarke was reluctant to change a winning side and retained Lyon for the SCG which has a reputation for favouring the spinners.

"It's a tough call on 'Rhino', he's been such a wonderful bowler for us and it was tough to leave him out," Clarke said.

"The success we had and way we performed in Melbourne, it was tough to change that team. We had a long enough break and that was the other consideration, finishing a day early.

"The bowlers didn't bowl too many overs in that second innings and that certainly helped them," he added.

Australia: Michael Clarke (c), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon, Ryan Harris (12th man).