(REUTERS) – Australia have brought back workhorse paceman Ben Hilfenhaus into the Test fold in place of youngster Mitchell Starc for the first Test against India, which starts tomorrow. Hilfenhaus, a natural swing bowler, was dropped after a poor series against England earlier this year, but has worked his way back into the side with strong form in domestic cricket.
He will join a pace attack that features Peter Siddle and James Pattinson, with Nathan Lyon the lone specialist spinner.
Top order batsman Shaun Marsh has been recalled after recovering from a back strain suffered in South Africa, while former captain Ricky Ponting and middle order batsman Mike Hussey have retained their places.
All-rounder Shane Watson has yet to shake off an injury while Starc has been named as the 12th man.
Clarke explained why Hilfenhaus had got the nod, saying: “He is a very good new ball bowler and he can bowl long spells and he has had success against India as well so there’s probably a few reasons why we decided to go with Hilfy.
“We feel we have got the right XI to give ourselves a chance to win the Test match.”
Clarke said 21-year-old Starc was disappointed when told he was dropped.
“Mitch is obviously disappointed. He would have loved a chance but he understands the reasons,” he said. “He has to keep working hard at his game now to continue to improve. (He needs) to go back to his Big Bash team and New South Wales and continue to take wickets.”
Skipper Michael Clarke will lead Australia into the first match of a four-Test series, with his counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni hoping to guide India to their first Test series win on Australian soil.