Australia’s selectors well and truly covered all bases for next week’s first Ashes Test by choosing a 17-man squad – one player more than England’s tour party.
Tasmanian left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty’s is the biggest surprise, named as one of three slow bowlers along with Nathan Hauritz and Steve Smith, while Callum Ferguson tipped out Phil Hughes for one of eight batting spots.
Five quicks were selected for the opening Test at the Gabba, starting on Thursday week, with Ryan Harris forcing his way in following a career-best Sheffield Shield return in Tasmania last week.
The extended squad will be whittled down to 12 or 13 on the weekend following the Australia A match against England and a full round of Shield matches but it highlights the selectors’ uncertainty over their team.
Chief selector Andrew Hilditch stressed the large number of players selected was a result of wanting to see players in more first-class action.
“It’s a longer squad than normal primarily because we want to look at the next round of Shield games and the Australia A clash (against England),” Hilditch said.
“The (selection panel) has been pleased with the performance of the Test side in India however we were obviously disappointed in the result (0-2).
“With two losses in games where we felt the result could easily have been different and we realise there are some important areas we need to improve on before this summer’s matches.”
With vice-captain Michael Clarke (back) under an injury cloud and opener Simon Katich (thumb) making his comeback for NSW on Wednesday, young batsmen Usman Khawaja and Ferguson have been selected to offer top-six back-up.
But Clarke, who spent long periods of NSW’s Shield match against Victoria off the field after aggravating his back while scoring a century, is supremely confident he will be fit.
“The back’s okay,” he said. “It’s still a little bit stiff but I’m certain it will be fine for the first Test in Brisbane.”
There are also some lingering concerns over left-arm quick Doug Bollinger who only returned in grade cricket at the weekend after a side strain, while Harris has been rested this week.
Queenslander Harris made a stunning first-class return from his chronic knee injury against Tasmania, taking a career-best 9-140, but team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said the joint required ongoing management.
“His (Harris’s) availability for the first Ashes Test will determined later this week,” said Kountouris.
Doherty’s rise comes on the back of his excellent one-day international debut against Sri Lanka at the MCG this month when he took four wickets in a thrilling one-wicket loss.
“Nathan Hauritz has performed exceptionally well over the past 12 months for Australia and one of the biggest decisions we will need to make is whether we go into the first Test in Brisbane with a right-arm off spinner or with the variation of a left-arm orthodox bowler,” Hilditch said.
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Callum Ferguson, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Usman Khawaja, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris, Xavier Doherty.
