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Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming Test component of Australia's VB Tour of India. Young Usman Khawaja, called up to the squad for the Pakistan series has made way for reserve opener Phillip Hughes who returns from injury. Brad Haddin misses out due to injury and young Tasman keeper Tim Paine takes his place in the team. Ryan Harris is the notable absentee from the 14-man team that Australia took to England and instead two rookie pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Peter George have been called up for the Tour.

Josh Hazlewood, a 19-year old right arm pacer from New South Wales, has also earned a spot. He emerged as a promising talent during the under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. He was part of the ODI squad that toured England for a five match series against the hosts. Hazlewood made his debut in the first ODI but he failed to impress and hence had to sit out for the rest of the series. Peter George, a 23-year old pacer from South Australia, was part of the squad that played Pakistan but he didn't get a debut during the series. The selectors have decided to retain him and that gives him another opportunity of earning a test cap.

The series itself though has come under tremendous flak for having been scheduled at the same time as the Commonwealth Games, which India is hosting for the very first time, with the organizers worried that the cricket mad nation will turn its attention towards the sport it adores rather than engage with an event that should be the centre of attraction.

Australia last toured India in the winter of 2008 and lost the Border - Gavaskar Trophy 2-0. The series was exceptionally memorable as it saw two modern Indian legends hang up their whites with Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly retiring after the 3rd and 4th Test matches respectively. Both players were given memorable send-offs and the series result was perhaps a bit overshadowed by the superstars. The final test also saw current Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni take over the Test captaincy. He has since led India to the top of the World Test Rankings, a position the hosts will be keen on retaining.

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: "While the excitement builds for the forthcoming Vodafone Ashes, the immediate focus for this squad is the Test series against India.

"India is ranked number one in Test cricket and there is no harder assignment in Test cricket at the moment than playing India on their home soil. The Australian squad is really looking forward to the challenge.

"The Australian team had a very successful home summer last year and an away series win against New Zealand. While it was disappointing to draw the series in England against Pakistan, the squad reflects the good performances of the team over the last 12 months as we continue to prepare for the Ashes.

"The squad we have selected sees the return from injury of Phillip Hughes and includes a very good mix of experience and new young talent with Steven Smith, Hughes and two young fast bowlers in Peter George and Josh Hazlewood.

"All these exciting young players have the potential to have a big impact in international cricket for many years and the NSP is confident they will all equip themselves well if the opportunity presents itself on this tour.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "Brad Haddin is making good progress with rehabilitation of his elbow tendon injury. He is due to commence restricted batting in the next few weeks but will not be available to play in the Test component of Australia's VB Tour of India.

"He is on track to be available for club cricket and for New South Wales with the possibility of being available for selection in the India or Sri Lanka One-day International series."

As the first One-day international of the tour is not scheduled until 17 October, the NSP will monitor the fitness of injured players before making a decision on the squad for the one-day component of the VB Tour of India.

The Aussies will first play a three-day match at Mohali from the 25th of September before the first test that gets underway on the 1st of October at Mohali itself. The second and final test of the series will be played at Bangalore from the 9th of October. The test series will be followed by a three-match ODI series.

The 15-man Test squad is: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

File Photograph Copyright: Les Walsh