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Australia goes into the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba this Friday knowing two things – their most valuable player, Shane Watson, is in doubt, and South Africa will be a very tough task.
Watson injured his calf bowling for New South Wales against Queensland and, given his injury history, may take the cautious approach and miss the first Test against the world number one side.
“It’s not as bad (as it’s been), it’s only pretty minor but I know how things can go if you don’t really look after it and get it right the first time,” Watson said.
“I’ll be certainly making sure I get it right the first time.”
Watson has been for scans but selectors are prepared to wait until Monday or Tuesday to get a clearer picture of his availability.
Victorian Rob Quiney, who impressed chairman of selectors John Inverarity with 85 for Australia A against South Africa at the SCG, has been called up to cover should Watson be unable to take his place.
Quiney, one of the most consistent Australian first class batsmen in the last couple of years, did not look out of place facing Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, currently one and two in the ICC Test cricket bowling rankings.
Asked about his call-up, Quiney was understandably excited.
“It’s a massive opportunity to join the squad heading into such an important series.
“Hopefully Shane can get up and be right because he’s such an important player for the team but I’ll obviously be training and preparing to be ready to go if he doesn’t get up,”
Quiney’s form and confidence may be a welcome addition to an Australian batting line-up that has become known for a series of collapses in recent times. With the quality of bowling present in the South African line-up, Australia will be sure to be tested.
South Africa themselves are travelling very nicely, warming up for the Gabba Test with a good hit-out for their batting line-up and valuable overs in Australian conditions for the bowlers. Their top six all got starts and looked comfortable, while strike-bowler Steyn looked sharp with 3/54 in the first innings.
Australia A’s first innings of 7/480 is pleasing for selectors. The batting heavy line-up producing some good performances from Quiney, Tasmania’s Alex Doolan (161) and Tim Paine (60), Victorian Glenn Maxwell (64) and New South Welshman Steve Smith (67).
As good as Australia A were, however, South Africa cruised through the match and got exactly what they needed from it without ever hitting top gear.
With one of the best all round cricketers to ever play the game to come back into the side in Jacques Kallis, South Africa will field a team that is in form, confident, settled and extremely hard to beat.
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