Hughes recalled for Australia's Test tour to India; Haddin ruled out

MELBOURNE, Australia — Opener Phillip Hughes and offspinner Nathan Hauritz were recalled for Australia's tour to India next month, but wicketkeeper Brad Haddin didn't recover in time to make the 15-man squad announced Thursday.

Australia will play Tests in Mohali (Oct. 1-5) and Bangalore (Oct. 9-13) and three limited-overs internationals against India immediately before returning to home and trying to regain the Ashes in a five-Test series against England.

Young pacemen Peter George and Josh Hazlewood were selected to reinforce the fast bowling stocks spearheaded by Mitchell Johnson, while 21-year-old legspinner Steven Smith was retained as the slow bowling understudy to Hauritz.

"India is ranked No. 1 in Test cricket and there is no harder assignment in Test cricket at the moment than playing India on their home soil," Australia's chief selector Andrew Hilditch said.

Hauritz missed Australia's drawn series against Pakistan in England with an injured foot, while 21-year-old Hughes hasn't been a regular in the Test squad since he was dropped midway through the last Ashes series when his form slumped in England.

Hughes, who is returning after dislocating his left shoulder in May, scored twin centuries in his second Test in South Africa earlier in 2009 and has an average above 50 from seven Tests but is likely to be a backup batsman due to the established opening partnership between Simon Katich and allrounder Shane Watson.

"While it was disappointing to draw the series against Pakistan, the squad reflects the good performances of the team over the last 12 months as we continue to prepare for the Ashes," Hilditch said.

Tim Paine will continue as Australia's gloveman, at least for the Test component of the tour.

Alex Kountouris, the Australian team's physiotherapist, said Haddin was making good progress with his rehabilitation from an elbow tendon injury but was not yet ready to return to Test cricket.

Haddin "is due to commence restricted batting in the next few weeks ... with the possibility of being available for selection in the one-day international series," he said.

The 19-year-old Hazlewood has played one limited-overs international, bowling seven overs against England at Southampton earlier this year, and three Twenty20 internationals for Australia.

George, a tall 23-year-old fast bowler, is yet to make his international debut but has 67 wickets at an average of 28.46 in 18 first-class matches for South Australia.

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Test squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith and Shane Watson.