Uncertain selectors have kept their options open, naming Australia's largest squad for the first Test of a home summer since the 2010 Ashes.
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The biggest surprise about Australia's 14-man squad unveiled on Thursday was not the personnel but its size and timing.
Selectors have picked a 12-man squad for most recent series openers at home, generally settling on their XI then including a reserve paceman.
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer have opted for a larger group as they mull how best to topple world No.1 India, calling in batsmen Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb.
The presence of two reserve pacemen, Peter Siddle and Chris Tremain, raised some eyebrows but Langer insists Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all fit and ready to fire.
It is Australia's biggest squad for the first Test of a home summer since 2010, when an extended 17-man group was presented at Sydney Opera House in an Ashes marketing exercise that went truly awry as England went on to retain the urn.
Hohns noted the squad will be trimmed to 12 prior to the first Test, while Langer confirmed Travis Head is a certain starter.
Handscomb is expected to be left out of the XI but Australia's batting order will remain unclear until the group assembles in Adelaide and selectors make a final call on the eve of the four-Test series opener against India that starts on December 6.
"There's two back to back Test matches ... hence the large squad," Langer said.
"There's no concerns over Mitch, Pat and Josh. They'll be ready to go for the first Test."
The fifth Sheffield Shield round runs from Tuesday until Friday, with the Test squad due to assemble in Adelaide the following day.
"There's lots of reasons," Langer said, when asked about the timing of the squad announcement.
"I'm learning this business is a bit more complex.
"It's not as simple as just saying ... name it after the next Shield game.
"A lot goes into putting the Australian cricket team on the park and being ready for a Test."
Hohns and Langer both made the point that next week's Shield games will still influence the final XI.
"We've said all along it's really important we start respecting Sheffield Shield," Langer said.
AUSTRALIA'S RECENT SQUAD SIZE FOR FIRST TEST OF HOME SUMMER 2018: 14-man squad 2017: 13-man squad 2011-16: 12-man squad 2010: 17-man squad.
Australian Associated Press