Jake Weatherald has been given the backing to remain Test opener ahead of the Australia’s busiest 12 months in history, after winning a maiden national contract.
Australia’s selectors showed their hand on Wednesday, elevating Weatherald to the full-time list and omitting Sam Konstas from the group.
Jhye Richardson was also left out despite making his Test comeback during the Ashes, with Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser instead on the list.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow Todd Murphy also returns to join Matt Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon as spinners among the group ahead of five Tests in India, after being left out last year.
Veteran white-ball star Glenn Maxwell, speedster Lance Morris and Matt Short have also fallen off the list, alongside the retiring Usman Khawaja.
Weatherald scored 201 runs at 22.33 in the Ashes, far from locking himself in as a long-term opener.
But the fact he has been handed a contract is an early indication that he will hold on to the spot for two Tests against Bangladesh in August.
From there, Australia have three Tests in South Africa, four at home against New Zealand and five in India.
Beyond that, there is the 150-year Test against England at the MCG in....
