Maxwell recalled in Test squad for India tour

Australia called up uncapped Mitchell Swepson to boost the spin contingent for next month’s India series to four, as Glenn Maxwell returned to the Test fold in a 16-man squad.

Australia have not won a Test match in India since 2004, and the four-Test February-March series is expected to be a supreme test for skipper Steve Smith and his team. Queenslander Swepson, 23, was the major surprise of the touring party, getting the call up after just 14 first-class games.

Swepson joins lead spinner Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Steve O’Keefe. “To be honest, I didn’t really know how to take it. I was just so shocked,” Swepson said.

The Queensland leg-spinner admitted he thought he had no chance of earning his first international call-up, despite the endorsement of spin legend Shane Warne. “It’s awesome to get that sort of feedback from the best legspinner we’ve ever seen play the game,” Swepson said.

Interim national selector Trevor Hohns said the panel was excited by Swepson’s potential. “He is an exciting young leg -spinner, gives the ball a very good rip, he’s a wicket-taking leg-spinner that has come through the pathway system,” Hohns said.