Australia's XI vs India - 1st Test: Michael Clarke to captain, Phillip Hughes named as 13th man
Australian captain Michael Clarke has been declared fit to lead Australia in the first Test of the four-match series that begins on Tuesday at Adelaide. Coach Darren Lehmann had earlier said that the 33-year-old will play the match only if he was able to run between the wickets and was able to bat for sufficient time in the middle. His last international appearance came in the 1st ODI against South Africa last month.
Phillip Hughes named as 13th man
In an emotional decision, Australia have also decided to name Phillip Hughes as their honorary 13th man for the Test. The left-hander passed away on 27 November after being hit on the side of his head by a Sean Abbott bouncer. A tribute for him is also lined-up before the start of the match. The Australian players will also wear No. 408 on their Test shirts.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will take up 12th man duties for the match.
Speaking to reporters at Adelaide, tearaway quick and one of the key men of the Australian bowling attack, Mitchell Johnson said that it would be an emotional time for everyone on Tuesday and added that he would find it hard to bowl during his first spell.
“It's going to be an emotional morning. For me going out there and bowling the first spell might be the most difficult,” Johnson said on Monday.
"Clarke is a strong captain"
The 33-year-old added that Clarke is a tough personality and termed him as a strong captain.
“I think with his captaincy and he showed how strong he's been over the past couple of weeks with the tragedy that we've had. He is a strong captain and we need him out there in this tough series," the left-arm pacer said.
Johnson also added that the pitch at the Adelaide Oval looked like a good one and that Clarke will be looking to bat first, if he wins the toss.
While the players were a having a tough time coping up with Hughes’s death, Clarke did show tremendous leadership qualities off the field and also read a statement at the 25-year-old’s funeral and was one of the pallbearers for his dear mate.
Clarke’s participation in the Test series has been a matter of speculation for a while now, but it seems that he is fit enough to play the Test match.
Australian XI
Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood (12th man), Phillip Hughes (honorary 13th man).