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Australia Test squad announced for the home series against West Indies

Nathan Coulter-Nile has been included in the Australian Test squad

Nathan Coulter-Nile, the Aussie fast bowler has been included in the Australian Test squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies. The move comes as little surprise with the retirement of Mitchell Johnson and injury to Mitchell Starc, who, selector Rod Marsh believes, ‘may have played the last game for the summer at Adelaide’.

"In an ideal world ... we'd love to have Mitchell Starc playing against New Zealand in the Test series [in February]," Marsh said. "I don't think that will happen. In an ideal world we'd like to have him playing in the [Twenty20] world cup. It 'may' happen,” he added further.

Another addition to the squad that played in the Trans-Tasman series has been that of the uncapped fast bowler Scott Boland, who has 71 first-class wickets at an average of 31.04, as a stand-by player, should any of the fast bowlers miss out due to injuries.

James Pattinson has been retained in the squad and is touted as the probable replacement for Starc in the playing XI. The 28-year old Coulter-Nile has not played any of the Sheffield Shield games so far, but Rod Marsh has complete faith in the seasoned limited-overs bowler. 

"In an ideal world we would have liked Nathan Coulter-Nile to have played some more Sheffield Shield cricket but he has been a proven performer for Australia in short-format cricket and has very good pace. We think he is ready to compete at Test level if required.”

Coulter-Nile is supposed to be the 12th man in the side, unless one or more fast bowlers have fitness concerns. This should also bring into picture the 26-year old Scott Boland, who has had a terrific Sheffield Shield season so far picking 12 wickets at 12.58, which includes a career best 7-wicket haul against Western Australia in the last game.

Marsh seemed confident about the young talent when he said, “Scott presents as a good option if the situation with any of our fast-bowlers change. He's bowling very well at the moment and is not far off selection. His seven-wicket haul against Western Australia showed just what he can do at an elite level."

The first test against the West Indies begins on December 10, at Hobart.

Australia squad: David Warner, Joe Burns, Steven Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland (standby).

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