Swepson holds element of surprise for Aussies

Australia cricket legend Steve Waugh says the mystery surrounding uncapped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson could play into Australia’s hands and make him a secret weapon against India.

Australia selectors sprung a surprise to name the 23-year-old Queenslander in the Test squad, and Waugh said the temptation to pit him against an India batting line-up could be hard to resist.

Quick single: Injury sidelines Lynn for T20 series

"There's an opportunity there … India haven't seen him and I think that surprise element could be very handy," Waugh said during a fan chat on his official Facebook page.

"I think the selectors and (captain Steve) Smith have to work out whether his temperament is up to it. 

"Think selectors believe he does because they picked him a bit from left field."

Swepson has quickly impressed his new teammates in Dubai where the Australia Test squad is assembled for a training camp ahead of Monday's arrival in India. 

The Australia team's preparations are mirroring that of England ahead of their groundbreaking 2012 winning tour. One of England's more novel tactics was to rig up a sound system around the nets to blast out crowd noise at high volume in a bid to have their batsmen get used to the crowd conditions.

Quick single: Renshaw given tall order for India

It's a tactic Waugh believes the Australians – in particular Test newcomber Swepson – could benefit from replicating.

"His biggest issue would be handling that pressure in a big situation with the crowd making a lot of noise. Can he remain calm and composed," Waugh questioned.

"If he's got the right temperament Australia will be tempted to throw him in that first Test squad. 

"It does bring that element of surprise against the Indian batsman, they wouldn't have seen too much of him they probably wouldn't have planned too much against him."

Another Australia great in Michael Hussey says he believes Swepson could well have the right temperament to succeed. 

"He's a great kid, he's willing to learn and wants to work hard," Hussey told cricket.com.au. 

"He's got quite a level head on his shoulders. I think he'll just embrace the opportunity and the experience. 

"(But) he has been picked on potential and looking ahead to the future so it's going to be a big challenge for him. 

"I'm sure they'll give him lots of support to make sure he stays in a positive frame of mind and hopefully it can be a great learning experience for him."

Swepson has played 14 first-class matches, picking up 41 wickets at 32.82, while he collected 12 wickets at 21.25 for the Brisbane Heat during this summer's KFC Big Bash League.

He will vie with Nathan Lyon, Stephen O'Keefe, Ashton Agar and allrounder Glenn Maxwell for slow-bowling spots in the Australia XI. 

And while the make-up of the Australia bowling attack remains the subject of much debate and conjecture, Waugh says he knows which way he would spin.

"My gut feeling is they won't play him in that first Test match, they'll go with O'Keefe and Lyon and potentially Maxwell as the third one," he said.