Swepson adds fizz to Aussie Test squad
Jan 15, 2017 - 6:02 AM Legspinner Mitchell Swepson's aggressive approach secured him selection in an Australian Test squad carrying hope rather than expectation on the looming Indian tour.The 23-year-old Queenslander is among four specialist spinners included in a 16-man squad also featuring allrounder Glenn Maxwell and brothers Shaun and Mitchell Marsh.
Spin great Shane Warne had been among those calling for Swepson to be fast-tracked into the Australian side.
"I had high hopes with a lot of chat being thrown around but I didn't really deep down think I was a chance," Swepson told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
"I haven't spoken to (Warne) but I'm sure when I do, I'll have to shake his hand and thank him. Whether that helped or not, I'm extremely stoked that he said those comments."
Swepson, who has played 14 first-class games, joins fellow spinners Nathan Lyon, Steve O'Keefe and Ashton Agar in the squad for the four-Test series starting on February 23 in Pune.
Lyon and O'Keefe are the incumbent spin twins from the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney, and only time will tell if Swepson unseats either of the New South Welshmen or the tourists opt for three slow bowlers.
"He is an exciting young legspinner, gives the ball a very good rip, he's a wicket-taking legspinner," Australia's interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.
"At the end of the day, you have got to take wickets to win Test matches and given the opportunity we feel that he could play a part over there."
Swepson got the nod ahead of Australia's limited-overs legspinner Adam Zampa.
"We thought we would go for a more attacking legspinner more so than a defensive legspinner," Hohns said.
Agar played his two previous Tests in July 2013 while Maxwell played the last of his three Tests in October 2014.
"I was hoping for a long time that it wasn't going to be my last Test," Maxwell told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
Matthew Wade has retained his wicketkeeping spot, as has opening batsman Matthew Renshaw for a tour which Hohns said would be tough.
"We have a squad here that can perform well enough in those conditions to give a good account of itself," Hohns said.
"We know it's very difficult over there. No country in the last 10 years probably has performed all that well over there or succeeded.
"Somehow, some way, someone has to turn the tide. And we're hoping that we can do that."
Hohns said Shaun Marsh's versatility to bat anywhere in the order assured his return while Mitchell Marsh's superior bowling was preferred to fellow allrounder Hilton Cartwright, who played Australia's last Test match.
Only three fast bowlers - Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird - were included.
Hohns said Wade's retention as wicketkeeper, ahead of NSW gloveman Peter Nevill, was multi-faceted.
"We know he can bat," he said of Wade.
"The thing with Matthew is, since his inclusion in the Test side, we feel his wicketkeeping has improved immensely.
"Plus we don't necessarily see it, but what he adds to the team environment and what he does behind the scenes is immeasurable."
Source: AAP
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