- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Mitchell Marsh is set to make his Test debut against Pakistan next month, with Shane Watson ruled out of Australia’s tour to the United Arab Emirates.
Watson has suffered a setback while recovering from the ankle injury that forced him to miss the recent one-day tri-series in Zimbabwe.
Watson’s calf injury means fellow allrounder Marsh will almost certainly be given his Baggy Green on October 22, when Australia start their two-Test series against Pakistan in Dubai.
Kane Richardson has taken Watson’s place in Australia’s Twenty20 and one-day squads, while Ben Hilfenhaus has been drafted into the Test squad.
“The selectors have opted for another pace option in Ben as we feel we have enough cover in the allrounder position,” chief selector Rod Marsh said in a statement.
Watson felt he would be ready for the two-Test series, but selectors opted to take a more conservative approach with the 33-year-old.
“To ensure he has the best chance of being fit for the big summer ahead,” Marsh explained.
“Shane has done everything he can to get up for this tour and left no doubt in our minds that he wanted to push through.
“Had the decision been left to Shane, he would be on the plane.
“We believe the best thing for Shane is to stay home and get 100 per cent fit as we know what a dynamic and destructive player he can be when his body is right.
“He remains an integral part of our plans for the summer.”
Watson will aim to return for the home limited-overs series against South Africa in November.
“I’ve been here before and know what I need to do to get back to full fitness. That means remaining positive and working hard,” he said.
Watson has overcome a series of injuries in his career, but played all 10 matches in last year’s back-to-back Ashes series.
It was a calf issue in South Africa that stopped that run, forcing Watson to miss the first two Tests against the Proteas in February.
Hilfenhaus, who has not played for Australia since December 2012, joins fellow quicks Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle in the Test squad.
“He is an experienced bowler who has worked very hard to get himself back to peak fitness,” Rod Marsh said.
“We know how well he can bowl in tough conditions.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.