Starc, Henriques back in Australian squad for Sri Lanka tour

Melbourne : All-rounder Moises Henriques and fit-again Mitchell Starc have earned a recall in the 15-man squad announced for the forthcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

While Henriques has been selected in a Test squad for the first time since the South Africa tour in February-March 2014, pace spearhead Starc will make his return after a six-month injury layoff.

Starc has not played since suffering a stress fracture in his foot during the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last November. He went on to miss Australia's tour of New Zealand before the World Twenty20 in India in March.

However, veteran paceman Peter Siddle and James Pattinson were not selected due to their respective injuries, while Glenn Maxwell was once again overlooked for the longer format of the game.

"This squad has proven experience in subcontinental conditions," the national selector Rod Marsh was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "Henriques comes into the squad to give the flexibility of an additional allrounder option, having already shown he plays and adapts well to spin-friendly conditions. He has been working hard with his fitness and we believe he is in prime condition to serve us well should he be selected to play."

Australia will play the first Test of the three-match against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on July 26.