Sydney, Dec 12 (UNI) Victoria's Marcus Harris was on Saturday added to Australia's squad for the first Test against India in Adelaide following a spate of injuries in the practice games for the Australian batsmen, and the eventual ruling out of David Warner and Will Pucovski.
David Warner had already been ruled out of the squad after he suffered a groin injury in the one-day series, while Will Pucovski sustained a concussion while batting for Australia A in the first tour match against India at Drummoyne Oval last week.
Harris, who has played nine Tests for Australia has been in fine form this summer, posting 239 against South Australia in his first innings of this season's Marsh Sheffield Shield as part of the highest-ever Shield stand of 486 alongside Pucovski.
"Given the spate of injuries in recent weeks, we're fortunate to be able to bring a player of Marcus' calibre into the Test squad.Marcus has been in outstanding form for Victoria this season and has had the benefit of facing India's bowlers in both three-day tour matches at Drummoyne and under lights at the SCG' ', said Australian selector Trevor Hohns.
"At the same time, we are disappointed for David and Will that they will not be available for the first Test. We have taken a conservative approach in managing Will since he sustained the concussion and hope he and David will be back to full health ahead of the Boxing Day Test," he added.
Australia's injury woes only deepened on Saturday when, after Cameron Green, Harry Conway was also ruled out of the ongoing second tour match due to concussed. While Green was subbed off immediately after deflecting a shot from Jasprit Bumrah onto his head while bowling on Friday, Conway showed signs of concussion later in the day.
The four-match series begins with the day-night Test at Adelaide from December 17.
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