Chief selector Rod Marsh said on Friday it was not the time for “wild experimentation” after opting against including any debutants in the Test squad to face New Zealand, despite a number of retirements.
Selectors decided not to pick 22-year-old batsman Cameron Bancroft for his debut, preferring Joe Burns to open the innings with vice-captain David Warner in Brisbane next week, the start of a three Test series.
Usman Khawaja was also recalled and is likely to bat at number three after more than two years out of the national team.
The 12-man squad, the first under new captain Steve Smith, contains six players with less than 10 Test caps following the retirements of an influential group of senior players earlier this year.
Australia are rebuilding after the departures of skipper Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris.
“What we tried to do was pick the best side,” Marsh said. “We know New Zealand are going to be very worthy opponents. In fact, they’re a damn good side.
“It’s very important for Steve Smith and David Warner, the two leaders of our group, that they get off to a good start. And I don’t personally think it was time for just wild experimentation.
“I think we had to be very measured in what we did with this team to allow the new captain the best chance of getting off (to a good start).”
Burns and Khawaja, who were included in the Test squad for this month’s postponed tour of Bangladesh, both scored centuries for a Cricket Australia XI in last weekend’s tour match against New Zealand in Canberra.
Khawaja has not played for Australia since being dropped during the 2013 Ashes, while Burns took part in two Tests against India last southern summer but was not named in the squad for England.
The rest of the squad is as expected, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and veteran batsman Adam Voges both retained and Peter Nevill getting the nod as wicketkeeper. The three-Test series, which will be Steve Smith’s first as permanent captain, starts next Thursday.
“We think this squad has the goods to do it and also provides an opportunity for some exciting younger players to make their mark in the Test arena,” Marsh said. “
Usman is a very good player of fast bowling and is a fine technician. We feel he will make a really solid contribution towards our batting this series.
“Joe thoroughly deserves his chance and was unlucky to miss out on the West Indies and Ashes tours,” he added.
