Australian Selectors Reject Call To Include Out-Of-Form Batters In Prime Minister's XI vs India

Australian selectors have decided against sending any out-of form national team batters to play for the Prime Minister's XI against India in Canberra, following the hammering in the Perth Test. Hosts Australia were handed a 295-run bashing by India in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this week and following the disappointing performance, the pressure is intensifying on the top order ahead of the second Test against India in Adelaide on December 6. The likes of Marnus Labuschagne (2, 3) and Steve Smith (0, 17) struggled against India and many, including former captain Maichael Clarke, feel the duo, along with reserve batter Josh Inglis, could benefit from the two-day pink-ball warm-up game.

However, the Australian think tank has denied thinking on those lines.

"This was partly because time at home was considered important for the players, and also because the Australian camp do not want to give the Indian brains trust another look at any of their Test batters before the five-match series resumes," according to a report in the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

Head coach Andrew McDonald has also insisted that sending any player for the match in Canberra hasn't "crossed their minds".

"No, that hasn't crossed our minds. We feel that with the long summer ahead, the prep we've got in place – albeit we've extended that by a day in Adelaide – we'll be well prepared, as we were leading into the first Test," McDonald said.

"No, we were thinking about Test one. You always look to get a positive start to the summer – it's not like you're focusing on Test match five in terms of where you want to be then. Banking wins is critical, and we've got our work cut out as to how we turn that around.

"Match one was our primary