Star's recall adds mystery to Aussie selection battle

Australian selectors have handed specialist opener Matthew Renshaw a Test lifeline by naming him in a 13-player squad.

Cricket Australia unveiled the list on Wednesday ahead of a two-Test series against the West Indies, starting next week.

Renshaw and fast bowler Scott Boland are the two new faces in the squad, while retired David Warner drops out.

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But it looks as though the race to replace Warner is down to two, with chief selector George Bailey confirming Cameron Green will be added to the playing XI.

Green or Steve Smith are expected to open the batting, and the other will play at No.4.

"Cameron Green will come into the playing XI for the Test in Adelaide in a squad also containing Scott Boland and Matthew Renshaw," Bailey said on Wednesday.

"We have selected a team we believe contains the best six batters in the country."

Australia will confirm the exact make-up of its team before play next Wednesday.

While Renshaw appears to have missed out on selection for Adelaide – at least for now – he may yet play the second Test in Brisbane.

Australian selectors have one eye to the future, with Warner retired and Usman Khawaja well into the twilight of his career.

At 34 years old, Smith is also considered to be approaching the end of his career.

By beating out fellow specialist openers Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris, it appears Renshaw has been earmarked as a long-term Test player for Australia.

Renshaw made his Test debut in 2016 at the age of 20, and has 14 caps for his country so far.

While his Test average is only 29.31, he's played 107 first-class matches and averages 38.76 against the red ball.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD vs WEST INDIES

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.

Nathan Lyon of Australia congratulates teammate Scott Boland during the WTC final.

Australia will also play a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, and have named a squad for that.

Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins will all be rested for the white-ball series, leaving Smith to captain and Travis Head as his deputy.

West Australian speed demon Lance Morris has been named in what could be his ODI debut for Australia.

"It is a little over 12 months until the Champions Trophy and further opportunities for the likes of Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson, and Nathan Ellis will be valuable both to our ongoing improvement as a team and also further their personal experiences in ODI cricket," Bailey said.

AUSTRALIA ODI SQUAD vs WEST INDIES

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head , Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.

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