The Australian team for their tour of India has been announced and Phil Hughes makes a comeback into the squad. Australia will play two Test matches and three ODIs on the tour, which will immediately precede the Ashes this year.

Hughes will rejoin the side after being a part of the squad in the previous edition of the Ashes. He had played in a Test match before being dropped and Shane Watson was promoted up to open the batting. Hughes will battle for the opener’s slot with Watson and Simon Katich.

Apart from Hughes, Nathan Hauritz also makes a comeback into the side, and will be the number one spinner of the team. He replaces Steve O’Keefe in the squad, while Steven Smith continues to hold his place in the squad.

Josh Hazlewood was also given another chance in the squad consisting of four other pace bowlers. He comes into the squad in place of Andy McKay. The other fast bowlers include Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger and Peter George.

The series will be very crucial for Australia given that this is the last one before the Ashes and will give the selectors and the captain an opportunity to look at players.

Blue Square offers 9/1 for a 2-2 drawn Ashes series, while a 1-1 draw is at 14/1 (Bet365). In the highly unlikely scenario of a 0-0 draw, Bet365 offers 80/1. Equally unlikely is a 5-0 win for England and it is at 50/1 (Bet365). Given that the last two of the three Ashes series have ended with a 2-1 scoreline, it is no surprise that it is the most favoured scoreline for this edition as well, and 888Sport offers 13/2 for it.