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.
Australia: 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.
Justin
Guest
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
jules
Guest
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...
Justin
Guest
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).
Phil Coorey
Guest
Bracken? Seriously? The guy has nothing , except for the fact that he looks like Amelie Mauresmo when he has that head band on...
drewster
Guest
Looks like a fairly flexible squad in the bowling department and the top 5 batsmen and Haddin look to be in for the series. North looks like a decent No 6 (allrounder) choice and gives the team the option of playing 4 paceman or a spinner or Mcdonald depending on the pitches and conditions. Probably a bit short of experience in the bowling department (Bracken maybe a bit unlucky here). with injuries etc. Could be a tough learning curve for some but you'll never know if they don't get a go! Anyway the team could do with some "enthusiasm" right now. Was good to hear Ponting back Hughes's selection. Good Luck Boys!
Michael C
Guest
Bollinger is very lucky. He didn't really look that great in - fair enough - just the 1 test. Siddle & Johnson select themselves and Hilfenhaus is long due and is improving all the time in the ODIs. Hauritz is inoffensive. McGain, thankfully get's a chance. North and McGain plus 3 pace men, not a bad line up. Or, if North bowls okay, McDonald might come in ahead of a spinner. Bracken - - well - - he's had limited Shield activity in recent times, and for the long version of the games there's certainly others BACK ahead of him - - - however, for his experience in an attack very much limited in that respect. 50/50 call I guess on NB vs DB, DB won out.
Kento
Guest
The selectors got it right with Hughes but still too many wrong. Why not at least explain why not Bracken? Their approach of selecting based on who they 'liked' was ok when the team was winning, but not now ok. Get the best players in the team. This means selecting guys like Bracken, who are proven performers at the highest level.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Finally Phillip Hughes gets his chance. Looking forward to seeing him bat in a few weeks. As for the bowling options I was hoping Stuart Clark might of recovered by now. He took 20 wickets last time he played in South Africa. Ben, yes Bracken is one of the best One-Day bowlers in the world but his worst statistics are against the Proteas..He averages in the high 30s against them in ODIs. Good to see Andrew McDonald making some runs last night. He has a massive opportunity to cement his spot in the team ahead of the Ashes series.
jam
Guest
Katich had a shoulder niggle in the last test series that Ponting didn't want turned into a full-blown injury.
Brett McKay
Expert
Cougar, I'd be pretty happy to run with that side you've named, and I like the squad named (for a change) given the current injury/mental state of others that would normally be there. If North's offies are as good as is being suggested, perhaps a fourth quick could be played if required, is place of McGain/Hauritz?? Otherwise, happy to see him there both in that and at No.6. Looking forward to seeing Hughes too, I still wonder if they might give him a couple of one-days v NZ to get used to guys he'll be playing with, especialy with Marsh's hammy ruling him out..
Ben
Guest
where is Bracken!! How can a guy be the best ODI bowler in the world, and not get a look in on the test side. we're destined to failure until the bowling ranks are beefed up in the right way.
The Cougar
Guest
Johnson, Siddle and Bollinger bowled the Aussies to victory at the SCG only a few weeks ago. McDonald got a few scalps, but generally looked pretty benign - he got a few lbws on the last day with typical fifth day shooters. Hauritz is in the same category - steady but hardly going to tear through a top order. McGain looked solid yesterday when he played a one-dayer for the Vics against SA, so he's ready to be tested at the next level. However, I do agree with you on one point: the Kat needs to bowl more overs!
Kento
Guest
Cougar, that's a weak bowling line-up. No-way they'll take 20 wickets, imo. I'd be inclined to play Bracken in the team (or at least select him for the tour) and keep the all rounder spot in there (though not impressed with McDonald so far). Why don't they bowl Katich anymore? This would give the team a lot more options.
The Cougar
Guest
Great selection. He made 150-odd and 80-odd not out last week when the heat was on and everyone was talking him up for selection, so I think this nod for the South African tour shows his got it together mentally. This would be my team, in batting order, for the first Test: 1 Simon Katich 2 Phillip Hughes 3 Ricky Ponting (capt) 4 Michael Clarke 5 Michael Hussey 6 Marcus North 7 Brad Haddin 8 Mitchell Johnson 9 Peter Siddle 10 Doug Bollinger 11 Bryce McGain Even though Australia won in Sydney with McDonald as the all-rounder, he's not strong enough to bat as a Test No.6. North is quality.