Ashes incumbent George Bailey has been dropped for Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa, replaced in the 15-man squad by WA batsman Shaun Marsh.
Fast bowlers James Pattinson and Jackson Bird have also been drafted in while Nathan Coulter-Nile drops out.
The move opens the door for either Marsh, James Faulkner or Tasmanian top-order batsman Alex Doolan to fill either the three or six positions for the three-Test tour.
It was speculated before the decision that a resurgent Phil Hughes would return to the squad, but selectors opted for Marsh, who has been in strong limited overs form.
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity admits the move “was a difficult decision, but on this occasion we felt Alex and Shaun have games that are well suited to facing South Africa in South Africa.
“We consider that both are strong players of pace bowling which is important given the strength of South Africa’s attack.
“Alex was on standby for the recent fifth Test in Sydney and scored a most impressive 165 not out against South Africa for Australia A last season.
“Shaun is a talented batsman who is striking the ball very well at the moment. He has the technique and potential to do well.
“On this occasion these two batsmen were preferred to Phillip Hughes who we feel is best suited to a top order position. Phillip remains a highly regarded batsman whose time will come.”
Inverarity said Pattinson “is regaining fitness and form” and “at his best he is a fine Test match bowler.”
“Jackson Bird shaded out Nathan Coulter-Nile for the final bowling position and each of these bowlers is showing encouraging form.”
Inverarity praised Bailey’s contribution to the 5-0 sweep over England in the return Ashes series in Australia, but was adamant he wasn’t the man to take on a South African attack widely considered to be the best in the world.
“I think George’s contribution to the Ashes victory was very significant,” Inverarity said.
“He played an integral role there. It was a wonderful Ashes series and the 11 players knitted together really well and they were a very convincing unit.
“But going to South Africa, we think that George is less suited there against their attack and we’ve left him out and bolstered the batting with Alex Doolan and Shaun Marsh.”
Australia Test squad for South Africa: Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.
David
Guest
Clarke is the best australian batsman ..has been for some time now. Not sure why the best bat is not in the top 3. Then work from there. This would take some pressure off the slightly lesser batsmen who are batting ahead of Clarke. Better balance?
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
If he can't stay fit is that not more reason to not choose him?
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Just look at his face and you might think that...then he opens his mouth and I despise him. Ugh...he has gotta go and he won't if we win in SA. Invers goes vs win in SA that is a tough choice
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
*Ahem ahem* Mitchell Johnson *ahem ahem* ODIs
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
If they had worked on that theory he would not have been un and Faulkner would have got a game. Alas, Bailey will now not play another test again though I must admit, just not for the experience argument
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Lol well best batsmen meant to be at 3...Haddin first drop :p Faulkner will be played before Marsh and Doolan. I hope Marsh doesn't get a damned game. Another 30 year old? Don't care if they perform we cannot have almost 8 of them...Currently test team lineup would probably be Warner/Rogers/Watson/Clarke/Smith/Haddin/??/Johnson/Harris/Siddle/Lyon where only Lyon, Smith and Warner are under 30. Get Doolan or Faulkner not another damned 30+. No one dare use the 'Hussey' damned case because he was good and should have been picked ages before he was. Marsh?....no claim at that. D. Hussey made a case years ago to be picked and was not. now we are picking people who don't even has first class averages of above 40? For god sakes, someone kick Inverarity out and then we will become #1. Thankfully he must get outnumbered at the decision table for others. Or they let him have his way with one or two picks, only way to pacify him....
Vince
Guest
Learn to read comments before pressing the 'Add Comment' button, buddy.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
The thing is though, at this time of year the only form to pick players from is ODIs because there's no Shield games played
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Are you kidding? I would've tipped Hughes to score more than runs than Marsh and Doolan combined on this tour.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Marsh is bound to play, why would they take him otherwise? Doolan's different, they may want to 'have him around the group' before he is introduced. This doesn't hold for Marsh he's already part of the set-up in ODIs and irregularly in the T20I team. It's all rather depressing.
SandBox
Roar Guru
It's also important to note, that the real turnaround in our form in the ashes and ODI has come from Boof's leadership and not Clarke's. Clarke may have made some good decisions on the field, but most experts at the Roar and other commentators state that the real difference has been Boof
Ken
Guest
@Polly - On that list of bowlers you mention, only two bowlers above him have a worse average and they are both spinners. He does top one list though - that of the most overrated bowlers in test cricket.
dan ced
Guest
"bolstered" I think he meant "ballsupped"
dan ced
Guest
Shaun Marsh = an younger Ed Cowan, yes! I thought that yesterday. He will get 30 off 200 balls, and get out playing an amateur flakypants shot.. but 30 is a "start" not a "failure" so they will give him 18 tests in a row like Cowan. North, White, Klinger, or a younger guy like Lynn, Silk, Carter etc. Should've gone. Doolan, although not as flaky as Marsh has form almost as bad It just makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, maybe they aced the interview, or bribed the selectors.
dan ced
Guest
Cowan made a test ton...
Armchair expert
Guest
At least Wade's batting record is acceptable.
Armchair expert
Guest
I recall O'Keefe answering questions about his non selection for India, but not questioning the decision, it was McGill, Rodney Hogg, Geoff Lawson and countless other who publically questioned it, still waiting for someone in the press to ask Clarke about O'Keefe but from what In can gather it's nothing more than a "personality clash", but it doesn't stop them playing together for NSW.
Armchair expert
Guest
Typical Inverarity comment, but the Marsh selection may be a ruse, I can't see him playing a test in SA (or again), so maybe it's better for Hughes, Lynn and co to play shield cricket than playing only 1 or 2 games in SA, batting in the nets and bumming around for the rest of the tour, as for Bird and Pattinson, they'll make good net bowlers in SA, say no more.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I understand Hughes not being picked but Marsh? Bailey is a better option
Richard
Guest
Not at all. Jimmy will never get to exact revenge for the pasting he took at Baileys hands. Also Bailey has a perfect Ashes and test winning record.