How Australia shape up ahead of blockbuster Test series

AUSTRALIA'S SQUAD FOR THE BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY

USMAN KHAWAJA

Age: 37

Tests: 73

Playing role: Left-handed batter

Test batting average: 45.80; batting average v India, 34.00

Could this be Khawaja's final summer? Still batting superbly, but few batters have maintained a high level beyond their 38th birthday.

NATHAN MCSWEENEY

Age: 25

Tests: None (34 first-class games)

Playing role: Right-handed batter

First-class batting average: 38.16

One of the biggest challenges for a rookie in Australian Test history. Has never opened before at Sheffield Shield level, but McSweeney has a genuine opportunity to lock down a permanent spot at the top of the order.

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE

Age: 30

Tests: 50

Playing role: Right-handed batter

Test batting average: 49.56; batting average v India, 45.58

A tough two years at Test level for a player who rose to great heights early in his career. Labuschagne's last Test century came back in July 2023.

STEVE SMITH

Age: 35

Tests: 109

Playing role: Right-handed batter

Test batting average: 56.97; batting average v India, 65.87

Has often saved his best for India. After opening in four Tests earlier this year, Smith will move back to his preferred spot of No.4.

TRAVIS HEAD

Age: 30

Tests: 49

Playing role: Left-handed batter

Test batting average: 41.75; batting average v India, 42.05

Hard to believe the game-changing South Australian was left out for the first Test in India back in February 2023. Has achieved great things at Test and ODI level since.

MITCH MARSH

Age: 33

Tests: 42

Playing role: Allrounder (right-handed batter, right-arm fast-medium)

Test batting average: 30.45; batting average v India, 18.33

The reigning Allan Border Medallist was nowhere near the Test team when Australia toured India in early 2023. An underwhelming record against India, but hasn't played them since 2018 when he was finding his feet at international level.

ALEX CAREY

Age: 33

Tests: 32

Playing role: Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter

Test batting average: 31.88; batting average v India, 24.28

Silenced critics of his batting with a match-winning knock in Australia's most recent Test - a thrilling victory against New Zealand in March. Carey's keeping is elite, now arguably the best Test gloveman in the world.

PAT CUMMINS (capt)

Age: 31

Tests: 62

Playing role: Right-arm fast

Test bowling average: 22.53; bowling average v India, 26.18

Has never played in a winning series against India. Cummins was, sadly, forced to leave the 2023 tour to be with his dying mother. He remains at the top of his game, with his batting often a handy weapon for Australia.

MITCHELL STARC

Age: 34

Tests: 89

Playing role: Left-arm fast

Test bowling average: 27.74; bowling average v India, 38.54

Will be vital to Australia's chances. If he can regularly blast out India's top order, Australia will be well on their way to regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

NATHAN LYON

Age: 36 (turns 37 on November 20)

Tests: 129

Playing role: Right-arm offspin

Test bowling average: 30.28; bowling average v India, 31.56

The most experienced member of the XI. Australia's third most prolific bowler has 530 Test wickets and shows no sign of slowing down.

JOSH HAZLEWOOD

Age: 33

Tests: 70

Playing role: Right-arm fast-medium

Test bowling average: 24.82; bowling average v India, 26.94

Made his debut against India 10 years ago. Was struck down with injuries for an extended period, but has reclaimed his spot as one of Australia's "Big Three'' quicks.

JOSH INGLIS

Age: 29

Tests: None (57 first-class games)

Playing role: Right-handed batter, wicketkeeper

First-class batting average: 36.49

After recently captaining Australia in white-ball matches against Pakistan, the West Australian is in the Test squad as a spare batter, not as a potential replacement for Carey.

SCOTT BOLAND

Age: 35

Tests: 10

Playing role: Right-arm fast-medium

Test bowling average: 20.34; bowling average v India, 27.80

The popular Victorian will only come into the XI should there be an injury to Cummins, Starc or Hazlewood.