Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced a 12-player squad to face world number one ranked Test nation South Africa at the Gabba next Friday in the first Test of the 2012-13 international summer of cricket.
The major change to the look of the side the naming of Matthew Wade, who likely replaces Brad Haddin as Australia’s long-term wicketkeeper.
Haddin, who has played 43-Tests in the baggy green last featured for Australia in Adelaide against India in January. He missed the West Indies tour in April for family reasons.
Wade, 24, made his debut in Barbados on April 7 and posted a century in the third Test in Dominica. Tasmanian Wade’s 106 was the only century by an Australia player in the series.
Ed Cowan retains his spot as opener, with no changes to the top-six. Ricky Ponting will be hoping to continue his run of form through to the Test series against South Africa.
He has scored some 350 runs at an average of 125.00 in three matches and has hit 162 not out, 60 not out and 85 not out in his last digs at first-class level for Tasmania.
Commenting on the team, National Selector John Inverarity said: “The 12 man squad for the first Vodafone Test against South Africa is as many have predicted.
“Most discussion centred on the wicket-keeping role with both Matthew Wade and Brad Haddin presenting a strong and compelling case for inclusion.
“Matthew came into the Australian ODI team in February and has since acquitted himself especially well.
“Matthew and Brad both went to the West Indies; Matthew as our preferred ODI and T20 player and Brad as our incumbent and preferred Test match ‘keeper. As is widely known Brad returned to Australia early in the tour due to family circumstances and as a consequence Matthew was our Test ‘keeper for the three Test matches.
“He kept and batted very well and made a match-defining brilliant century in the second innings of the Third and final Test against West Indies.
“Since then he has played and gained valuable experience in England, the UAE and Sri Lanka. As a young player, getting better by the month, he is thoroughly deserving of his retention.
“While Matthew has been retained as the Test ‘keeper, Brad remains a player of significant interest.
“The last Test match that Australia played, the Third Test in the West Indies last April, included Ryan Harris. Ryan is continuing his rehabilitation from injury and is unavailable.
“Peter Siddle and James Pattinson have recovered especially well from the injuries that rendered them unavailable for that last Test in West Indies. In fact, they have been enjoying an ideal preparation for the first Vodafone Test in Brisbane having played in three Bupa Sheffield Shield games with another one to come later this week.
“The squad will assemble in Brisbane on Monday and will have three days of intensive preparation together to be ready for the beginning of this long awaited series starting on 9 November,” said Inverarity.
The Australian squad for the first Test (Brisbane, Gabba, Nov 9) is:
| Player |
State
|
Age
|
| Michael Clarke (c) |
NSW
|
31
|
| Shane Watson (vc) |
NSW
|
31
|
| Ed Cowan |
TAS
|
30
|
| Ben Hilfenhaus |
TAS
|
29
|
| Mike Hussey |
WA
|
37
|
| Nathan Lyon |
SA
|
24
|
| James Pattinson |
VIC
|
22
|
| Ricky Ponting |
TAS
|
37
|
| Peter Siddle |
VIC
|
27
|
| Mitchell Starc |
NSW
|
22
|
| Matthew Wade |
VIC
|
24
|
| David Warner |
NSW
|
26
|
Heff
Guest
I really think Cummins will be best suited to Test cricket over the other formats and could have been the X Factor of this series (still could if he gets a chance). He has a great cricketing brain and handles pressure very well. The working over he gave Kallis in South Africa was as surprising as it was beautiful to watch. 6-79 off 29 last time he bowled against SA. Not happy he stayed for the hit and giggle when he should have been playing Shield.
Bob
Guest
What about Warner, Hussey, Watson- haven't even played any first class cricket yet this summer. that is hopeless preparation for a test.Compare that to Ponting, Cowan and Clarke. All in form and raring to go!
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
Matthew Wade at age 24 may be about to embark on a 100+ test career with 15 test hundreds. Could be a case of Brad who? within 12 months.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
What happened there was that the 2nd greatest batsman in Australian history found some form and ominously carted 2 of Australia's finest around the park, as he has done to many attacks over the years.
Richard
Guest
I don't think we will be seeing Johnson again either. RIP fellers you had some great moments.
Lolly
Guest
Lucky you. I'll have to set the alarm early to watch the last session of play or stay up to watch the first So good to have white uniform cricket back.
Lolly
Guest
Johnno, why shouldn't they give Wade a run? Haddin's form for Aus has been pretty poor for some time and he's hardly Alan Knott with the gloves. I don't think they'll suffer with Wade behind the stumps even if I think Paine is a better keeper than both of them. It will be great experience for Wade to play against South Africa.
DC of nz
Guest
Why is no one mentioning the Aussie batting form vs Steyn Philander and Morkel ? That contest will also decide the series ? Oh well I am sure the roar writers are penning such a column soon !
Cantab
Guest
If they pick Lyon they need to bowl him, can't be 11 vs 10 like it was so often last season. Also if Watson opens the batting then they can't expect to use him as a full time pace option.
Red Kev
Guest
Already put my leave application in for the first day of the Gabba test - can't miss the first day of the test cricket for the summer!
Rhys
Guest
South Africa are facing much the same problem, with only a handful of their squad having played a first class fixture in recent months. Most of these guys are seasoned pros and will be able to adjust to the change in format as a matter of course.
Jason
Guest
I'm a bit worried that niether Starc not Hilf have bowled a ball in first class cricket for months. They both have a Shield game before the first test but there's a real risk of weather or a one sided match could severely limit any chance of going back to a first class cricket bowling mentality.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Thanks Brett, could be interesting to see what transpires.
jameswm
Guest
Nor is watching the commentary ball by ball on cricinfo...
Brett McKay
Expert
yep, you can PP7. There's a long history of players being subbed in and out of games because of higher callings. I don't know that I've ever seen that many subbed in one go, but it's certainly been done..
jameswm
Guest
Siddle and Pattinson had been killing it till that game. Not sure what happened there!
jameswm
Guest
Yeah he still gets his line a bit too leg-side to the right handers and over-corrects. He's a fantastic prospect though. Nice. relaxed, loping run-up, nice action, nice shape, bounce etc. Just needs to find another 5% of accuracy.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I've got a question or three. CLarke, Starc, Warner and Watto are all playing Qld 2-5 Nov. CA want to rest them for the last day in prep for the test. What the hell happens there? What are the sub rules for Shield? Surely you can't sub 4 players out?
tommy
Guest
Early call for J Pat to be the MOM at the Gabba. He destroyed the Kiwis last year, ripped through the Bulls a few weeks ago (unfortunately from my perspective) & I'd expect the same in a couple of weeks against the Saffas. I think he will be regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the world by the end of this summer. What a beautiful bowler. Bring on the Summer. I'm starting to get daily outbreaks of test match fever now, which is not condusive to a productive work day..
Brett McKay
Expert
Dan, I had reason to look up some figures for Haddin, and his batting average over his last four series (SL, RSA, NZ, Ind) was more than 12 runs lower than his career mark...