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Cowan rewarded with Test berth

Ed Cowan will open the batting on his debut for Australia in next week's first Test against India after being included in the 13-man squad.

Lefthander Cowan has been in fine form for Tasmania this season and scored a timely 109 against India in the three-day tour match in Canberra, which ended in a draw.

Cowan said he is thinking how the Indians would manage if Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, both injury-prone, were to break down in the middle of the Test.

"Zaheer is a great competitor on the world stage. I don't know how fit Sharma is going to be but it's a risk if both him and Zaheer are in the team and both break down -- so I'm sure they're aware of that as well," he said.

Indian bowlers get some vital practice

The pace duo of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma got some vital bowling practice in the tour match.

The two teams decided at the start of the day that they would bat for 30 overs each in their second innings in order to wrap up the game early.

Both Ishant and Zaheer were trying to avoid putting too much load on their front legs at the point of delivery.

India also batted for 30 overs on day three of their second tour match, posting 90 for two to add to their first innings 269, with opener Gautam Gambhir top-scoring on 42 not out at the Manuka Oval.

Khawaja, Hughes score in vain

Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes finally got among the runs but it came too late to save their Test places.

Khawaja (56) and Hughes (42) combined for an unbeaten opening partnership of 100 in 30 overs before the Chairman's XI declared to end the match, but both were dropped from the squad for next week's first Test against the tourists in Melbourne.