SYDNEY, February 9: Opening batsman Michael Slater was recalled to the Australian cricket squad today for their upcoming three-Test tour of India.Slater replaced left-hander Matthew Elliott in one of the two changes from the team that drew with South Africa in the third and final Test in Adelaide last week.The New South Wales opener had lost his place in the Australian side to Elliott last season.
Fast bowler Andy Bichel was replaced by Paul Wilson, who has played for the Australian One-day side this summer but is yet to play in a Test.Australia's premier strike bowler Glenn McGrath was not considered for selection in the 15-man squad because of a stomach injury.
The team under Mark Taylor includes four players -- Darren Lehmann, Gavin Robertson, Adam Dale and Wilson -- who are yet to play a Test.
Slater, appears likely to come straight into the test line-up though selectors may choose Greg Blewett to open with Taylor.
The 28-year-old Slater had been omitted after the one-off Test in New Delhiagainst India where he gifted paceman David Johnson his only Test wicket with a wild off-side shot for a second innings zero.
The Australian selectors named three spinners -- Shane Warne, Stuart Macgill and Robertson -- but left out all-rounder Michael Bevan.
Bevan is likely to be recalled for the triangular limited overs series involving Zimbabwe later on the India tour under Australia's policy of selecting separate teams for Tests and one-dayers.
Steve Waugh has been appointed Taylor's deputy.
The Australian team leaves for India on February 20 and will play Tests at Calcutta, Chennai and Bangalore before the limited overs series starting on April 1.
Slater elated: ``I'm ecstatic. To be in the Indian tour is sort of getting back to where I want to be, it's fantastic,'' Slater said. ``The opportunity's in front of me and I want to get over there and get some runs.''
Elliott, whom Slater replaced, was too upset to talk to the media today. Slater will rejoin resurgent captain Mark Taylor atthe top of the order and Taylor broke the news to his New South Wales teammate by mobile telephone as Slater was playing a round of golf in Sydney.
``I was on the fourth hole,'' Slater said. ``It was a great thrill that he was the guy who let me know. I've played quite a bit of cricket with him and we're great mates.''
Australia is unbeaten in 10 straight series under Taylor but has not won in India or Pakistan for 28 years.
Australia has played just one Test in India in the past 12 years and last won a series there under Bill Lawry in 1969-70.
Victory on the subcontinent is Taylor's most important remaining goal and his hopes will be boosted by leg-spinner Warne.
Warne, one of three spinners chosen along with MaCgill and Robertson, missed the previous Test in India because of injury.
Leg-spinner MaCgill made his debut in the drawn Test against South Africa last week while off-spinner Robertson returns to the squad for the first time since the tour of Pakistan in 1994.
Robertson has yet to playa Test while batsman Darren Lehmann is the fourth member of the squad who is uncapped.
He was 12th man for one match when he was 19.
If Lehmann plays he will break Mark Waugh's Australian record for scoring the most first-class runs before gaining a Test place. Waugh made his debut after scoring 7,508 runs while South Australian Lehmann has 10,187.
``You get down at times but all you can do is make runs for your state when you are playing for it and that is all I was trying to do,'' Lehmann said of his long wait.
``Obviously you get disenchanted at various occasions but most of the time I was always pretty positive. I don't think you ever give up hope.''
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
