Phil Hughes named to tour South Africa
By Tom Wald, 5 Feb 2009
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- Andrew Hilditch, Andrew Symonds, Australia, Australian Cricket, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Bryce McGain, CA, Cricket, Doug Bollinger, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Phil Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich, South Africa, spin bowling, Stuart Clark
Youngster Phillip Hughes is in line to make his Test debut for Australia later this month after being named in a 14-man squad for the tour of South Africa.
The 20-year-old is set to become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since Craig McDermott played his first match as a teenager against the West Indies in December 1984.
Australia’s first Test against South Africa is in Johannesburg starting on February 26.
West Australian Marcus North has emerged as the bolter in the squad, the left-handed batsman rewarded for his toil at domestic level with the bat and his off-spin bowling.
Phil Jaques has missed out on selection, the national panel deciding he had not played enough cricket since returning from back surgery.
The No.1 spin bowling gig is still up for grabs with both Bryce McGain and Nathan Hauritz named in the squad.
Hughes fills the vacancy at the top of the order caused by Matthew Hayden’s retirement last month.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Hughes had been handed a tough start to his international career against the might of the Proteas’ pace attack.
“I don’t suppose the introduction could be any tougher for a young opening batsman, but he will be surrounded by experienced batsmen and we are confident he will meet the challenge,” Hilditch said in a statement.
Hilditch said North had been picked because of his ability to not only score runs, but contribute with the ball.
“Marcus North gets his long-awaited chance to join an Australian squad,” he said.
“Whilst Marcus is still a young man, he has had over eight years of first-class experience.
“He has been added to the squad both because of his strong (Sheffield) Shield batting form this year and his ability to bowl off-spin, which adds greatly to the flexibility of the squad.
“This is consistent with our approach since 2005 in having batsmen in the top six providing quality overs to support the bowling group.
“His addition, together with the retention of Andrew McDonald following his successful debut in the Sydney Test, gives the squad great flexibility.”
Australia were unable to call upon the services of sidelined pace duo Stuart Clark and Brett Lee, while Andrew Symonds has been granted time to put his off-field life in order.
Australia fly out to South Africa on February 16 and have a practice match against South Africa A in Potchefstroom from February 20-22.
© AAP 2012Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Marcus North, Peter Siddle.
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- Andrew Hilditch, Andrew Symonds, Australia, Australian Cricket, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Bryce McGain, CA, Cricket, Doug Bollinger, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Phil Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich, South Africa, spin bowling, Stuart Clark
February 5th 2009 @ 5:03pm
Phil Coorey said | February 5th 2009 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
Bracken? Seriously?
The guy has nothing , except for the fact that he looks like Amelie Mauresmo when he has that head band on…
February 5th 2009 @ 9:13pm
Justin said | February 5th 2009 @ 9:13pm | Report comment
Best squad the selectors have chosen for some time. Plenty of options with bat and ball and also in regard to team balance.
A brave move would be not to pick an all rounder. Just because we want one does not mean we have one good enough. I think with Haddin, Johnson and Siddle they make up enough with the bat to replace an all rounder at 6. I dont think they will do this but a bowling lineup of Hilf, Johnson, Siddle, Bollinger and McGain would take 20 for sure.
Bracken is a great ODI and 20/20 bowler but he bowls high 120′s to low 130s. He succeeds in short game because the batsmen have to attack him and that is when his variations become so dangerous. When they can take their time against him he is not nearly as dangerous. Slower balls and yorkers at his speed dont get through Test batsmen.
A great shame Clark isnt fit, he is far and away our best bowler and has been since he debuted.
If the batsmen fin form this squad can reverse the series result here (remember in both Tests we lost we were in dominant positions up to day 3).
February 5th 2009 @ 10:35pm
jules said | February 5th 2009 @ 10:35pm | Report comment
i think we need to forget about this all rounder position. mcdonald isn’t good enough with bat or ball and should not have been selected. personally i think klinger should get the spot at number six with north as a back up batsman. very surprised klinger wasn’t considered given his form this season…
February 6th 2009 @ 6:41am
Justin said | February 6th 2009 @ 6:41am | Report comment
Klinger has been outstanding this year, a sensational effort in 4 and one day cricket. However the selectors would be wary in picking a guy who has only averaged over 30 something like once in 8 seasons