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In the first one day international against South Africa, Michael Clarke re-injured his hamstring, potentially ruling him out of the first Test at the Gabba.
If he is ruled out, who will replace him?
Tom Cooper
27, South Australia, first class average of 41.22
Cooper showed his worth in the last Shield season, where he went at an average of over 50. As a result of this, he got picked for the Australia A side where he hit two half centuries in three innings against South Africa A, as well as a century in a one dayer against the National Performance Squad. He has started this Shield season well, with 121 against NSW and two half-centuries against Queensland.
Cooper has experience at international level for The Netherlands, going at an average of 48.8 in 23 ODIs, but it remains to be seen if he can follow in the steps of Dirk Nannes and swap the orange for the green and gold.
Callum Ferguson
29, South Australia, 38.51
Also from South Australia, and also with an average of over 50 in last year’s Shield, is Callum Ferguson. Ferguson was a first teamer in the ODI team, playing 30 ODIs for Australia averaging 41.43, before he got injured.
He performed pretty well against South Africa and started this season well with an unbeaten century and half century in the first game against Queensland.
Phil Hughes
25, South Australia, 46.57
We all know what Hughes has done in his quest to return to the Australian first team, but at the moment I would only consider him as an opener, so I’m not contemplating him for the first Test.
Glenn Maxwell
26, Victoria, 40.74
Pigeonholed as a limited-overs player, Maxwell is actually surprisingly good at the long form of the game, having an average which is up there with the best contenders. He averaged 45 last year in the Shield and comes with spectacular fielding and handy off-spin to boot.
The question has to be asked though, would Australia risk going into the first Test with three all rounders? I would think not.
Usman Khawaja
27, Queensland, 40.23
Uzzie has come back into contention with a good Shield season last year, averaging 50.09, as well as a fantastic one day cup performance, averaging 74 and unlucky not to win player of the tournament.
Currently recovering from a broken thumb, Khawaja will hope the selectors have been taking note of his performances.
Joe Burns
25, Queensland, 40.27
One of the most promising batsmen in Australia, Burns burst onto the scene with 140 on his Shield debut back in 2010-11. He went on to be Queensland’s highest run scorer in both 2011-12 and 2012-13. He backed that up with an average of 46.91 last year.
Burns will be a fixture of the team in years to come, and will be hoping to start as soon as possible.
Cameron White
31, Victoria, 40.55
An experienced player who isn’t mentioned much as a chance for Test selection, White has plenty of time left to make his mark in Tests.
White averaged 45 last year in the Shield and was awarded player of the tournament in the one day cup this year, averaging 59. A consistent performer for Victoria, White is an outside chance of snaring a Test spot.
I would probably pick Cooper for the spot as he has proved himself in the Shield and is in good form. He performed when given the chance for Australia A and has international experience for The Netherlands.
Who would you pick?
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