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Cameron Bancroft has retained his spot in Australia’s Test squad, with Jon Holland and Jhye Richardson the big winners heading into March’s tour of South Africa. Bancroft was included in a 15-man squad without any other new opening options for Australia’s four-Test tour, despite failing to score a century in his maiden Ashes series this summer.
However selectors have kept their faith in the 25-year-old, deciding against calling up the likes of Matt Renshaw as a back-up opening option if the West Australian fails.
Instead, Peter Handscomb is listed as the only other spare batting option from the team that won the last Ashes Test in Sydney, meaning Usman Khawaja or Shaun Marsh are the most likely options to move to the top of the order if Bancroft’s poor run of international form continues.
Meanwhile, Holland has seemingly overtaken Ashton Agar as the country’s second-best spinner after being named for the tour. Bizarrely, Holland’s selection comes after Agar was called into the squad for the Sydney Test earlier this month, and without any red-ball cricket having been played since then.
“Jon was the second leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield last season and has performed well in the games he has played for Victoria this season,” Australian selector Trevor Hohns said. “We envisage the wickets we will see in South Africa will not warrant the need to play two spinners.
“Therefore, should Nathan [Lyon] not be able to play at any stage, we wanted to have the best specialist spinner available to us and based on current red ball form Jon warrants that spot.”
West Australian quick Richardson has also been named in the squad after making his one-day debut this summer as a back-up quick alongside Jackson Bird. The decision confirms the selectors’ view that the 21-year-old is a future Test prospect.
All members of the Test squad will head to South Africa on 15 February before a warm-up match a week later, with the exception of David Warner who will captain the Australian T20 side.
“The South African series is a very important one and we have made no secret of our desire to improve our record away from home,” Hohns said. “As such, we wanted to ensure the players had the best possible preparation and that means playing the tour match prior to the first Test.”
**Test squad: **Steve Smith (captain), David Warner (vice-captain), Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc.
(GUARDIAN)
