Australia axe Vice-captain Marsh as Khawaja returns against India

Adelaide (AFP): Australia sprang a surprise by axing vice-captain Mitch Marsh on Wednesday for the first Test against India, as Usman Khawaja’s return was confirmed despite the shock of his brother’s arrest. 

Batsmen Travis Head and Peter Handscomb were preferred to the all-rounder, piling more pressure on the bowlers in what are forecast to be scorching conditions, while Marcus Harris will make his debut as opener. 

Captain Tim Paine said the omission of Marsh, one of Australia’s two vice-skippers along with Josh Hazlewood, was due to a lack of consistency and he would benefit from returning to Sheffield Shield cricket to find form again. 

Handscomb edged him out after two half-centuries last week and a century for Victoria the week before that. 

In-form debutant Harris will open in a new-look top order alongside Aaron Finch. 

The Pakistan-born Australian, who is returning after ankle surgery, was not seen in the nets on 

Shaun Marsh will bat at four with Handscomb at five and Head at six. 

The dumping of Mitch Marsh will add an extra burden for Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon, who will have to take on more overs in temperatures forecast to top 30 Celsius. 

Coach Justin Langer said he was wary of an Indian side led by the incomparable Virat Kohli that is aiming to win their first Test series ever in Australia. “They haven’t had great success in Australia in the past, as Australia haven’t had in India. They’ll also be under great pressure, I think.”