Australia ready for spinning India

Australia will take four spin-bowling options to India for their four-Test tour, with Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith named in a 17-man squad alongside Nathan Lyon and Xavier Doherty. The first Test starts on February 22 in Chennai and national selector John Inverarity said they would be ready for all conditions, with five pace bowlers also included. "This squad has the flexibility that will be required for the varying conditions expected in India, and it will provide valuable experience to a number of young players," he said. "The squad includes a spin bowling all-rounder in Maxwell and a medium-fast all-rounder in Moises Henriques. "In aiming for more depth in a bowling attack, the squad would allow for three pace bowlers, a leading spinner and Maxwell, or two pace bowlers, the two spinners and Henriques. These are two of the options." The pace attack is led by Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Jackson Bird. Doherty's recent form also saw him selected. "We certainly feel he is much improved in the longer format of the game since he made his Test debut in 2010-11 against England," said Inverarity. "He adds further flexibility to the squad, depending on the conditions." Explosive opener David Warner was also included, despite a fracture of his left thumb which has forced him out of Australia's first two one-day internationals against the West Indies on Friday and Sunday. Squad Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, James Pattinson, Xavier Doherty, Jackson Bird, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith. From AFP