Spinner Beer recalled into 16-member Oz Test squad for West Indies series

Melbourne, Mar 14 (ANI): Australian spinner Michael Beer has been recalled to the 16-member Test squad named for the West Indies tour.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, rookie batsman Peter Forrest and two wicketkeepers, Brad Haddin and Matthew Wade have also got Test berths.

Shane Watson and James Pattinson have made a comeback into the squad after an injury-marred season.

Batsman Shaun Marsh remains on the outer after poor form while teenage paceman Patrick Cummins is still unavailable due to fitness concerns, having missed the entire season due to a foot injury.

"Shane Watson will come back into the Test XI and he could replace Shaun Marsh in the vitally-important No.3 position," The Sidney Morning Herald quoted national selector John Inverarity, as saying.

"The NSP believes the inclusion of five fast bowlers, two spinners and two wicketkeepers will provide important flexibility and cover for any injuries that may occur in a country that is not easily accessible by replacement or standby players," he added.

Inverarity also expressed confidence that Australian skipper Michael Clarke would be fit for the first Test in Barbados beginning on April 7.

The 16-member contingent is the biggest Australian squad to go on a Test tour since the 2009 Ashes series.

Forrest and Wade will make Test debuts if they play in the West Indies series.

Australian Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Michael Beer, Ed Cowan, Peter Forrest, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner. (ANI)