Phil Hughes could be in line for a bizarre Test recall should Shaun Marsh become the latest player ruled out of the tour of South Africa.
There’s optimism that Marsh’s calf injury isn’t serious, however – given his chequered history – the West Australian has been kept back in Perth for further treatment in case his body doesn’t respond in time.
Fast bowler Jackson Bird (back) is another squad member who won’t travel with the rest of the squad on Wednesday. He’ll remain in Hobart bowling in the nets.
Australia’s injury-free summer has hit a major speedbump, with in-form allrounder James Faulkner already ruled out with a knee injury, and replaced by Moises Henriques.
Although Faulkner didn’t play a Test during Australia’s 5-0 Ashes triumph, he had pushed himself to the verge of selection and his knee injury comes as a significant blow to team depth.
Marsh was considered fortunate to get the nod ahead of Hughes in the original squad but, in an ironic twist, the South Australian – with three first-class hundreds this summer – could still make the trip.
George Bailey was the only player dropped from the Ashes, but isn’t holding his breath for a lifeline – tipping Hughes as the next batsman in line.
“I wouldn’t have thought so,” Bailey said.
“I reckon Phil Hughes would be (called up).”
There would have been a case for slotting Faulkner in as Bailey’s replacement for the first Test, and certainly he would have been next man in if something happened to incumbent allrounder Shane Watson or any of the fast bowlers.
But after starring in Australia’s 4-1 ODI series win over England, Faulkner found himself under the knife on Tuesday, undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Henriques was preferred as a like-for-like replacement, with selectors deciding against subbing Faulkner out for an extra batsman like Hughes or a bowler like Nathan Coulter-Nile.
NSW allrounder Henriques will vie with Marsh (fitness allowing) and the untested Alex Doolan for the batting vacancy for the first Test starting on February 12.
Australia are confident the sudden wave of fitness concerns won’t affect their winning momentum as they prepare to go head-to-head with the world No.1 South Africans.
“It’s the No.1 team and a new series. But the positives we’ve taken out of this summer we’ll take with us,” said paceman Ryan Harris.
“If we keep playing well, we’ll be hard to beat, simple as that. We’ve got a good feeling and we’ve just got to keep going winning Test matches and entertaining.
“The guys who come in, they’ve been in and out of the squad so they know what it’s all about. It’s not as if they’re new faces – they’ll fit in beautifully.”
Fellow quick Peter Siddle expects Marsh and Bird to join the squad within a few days – describing the delays to their travel as precautionary.
“They’ll meet us over there and, from all reports, they’re good to go,” he said.
Dan Ced
Roar Rookie
It was caught Martin(guptill) bowled (chris)Martin Hughes looks wacky, especially in defense.. but he seems to find a way of scoring runs and looking dangerous.. hopefully THIS time it translates to the world stage.
Buk
Guest
That Boult a very handy left arm swing bowler - but I notice he is not in the NZ ODI side (and they still managing to beat India - without staging any games in Invercargill !). NZ could be a dark horse semi-finalist or finalist for the ODI World Cup
Clark
Guest
Why does Australia keep going back to this guy? I remember agaianst New Zealand he got embarrassed (Caught by Guptill off Trent Boult 4/4 innings). Really stuffed up by leaving Katich out in the cold.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
I think the team need one more experienced bat in the side at 5 or 6. North who has been successful against S Africa or White should be in there. Haddin, Johnson, and Rogers have shown the over 30s can be very valuable to the team. I would rather bank on them than Doolan, Marsh, Henriques, Faulkner etc. Smith at 5 I think is one spot too high, he looks like a number 6 to me
Toby from Narrabeen
Guest
I have to agree with willandy's comments the only thing I would add is that the selectors are carrying on like were number 1 in the world & hello were not, we just won 1 series.
willandy
Guest
Watson should bat 6 . cant afford warner and Watson in top 3. we will be 2 for not much too often
JGK
Roar Guru
He's got some street cred for home Tests but he is 0-7-2 in his last 9 away Tests.
JGK
Roar Guru
Looks like Watto will stay at 3: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/watson-to-stay-at-no3-for-test-series-20140129-31maj.html Perhaps that brings Bailey back into the picture as the backup given that Doolan is more a top order batsman as well.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Not sure where Henriques would ever play given he's nowhere near a top six bat and his bowling's been bad all summer? What is going on???
jameswm
Guest
His supporters will say we won the Ashes, so all is rosy with the selections.
Jason Rebelo
Roar Pro
actually, Henriques scored a hundred in his last FC innings. His bowling has been so so, however.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
this is beyond a joke now with Henriques who again has done nothing all summer joining latest selections of Doolan, Marsh and Bailey. All we need is a call up for Hazlewood, Doherty or Maxwell. Invers needs to be committed ASAP
willandy
Guest
the selectors are loosing the plot again , henriques did well in india but has not got the first class record . why do we have a 4 day comp when blokes are being picked on1 day form . maybe ok for bowlers but batting in 1 day cricket is so much easier than tests . it didn't work for bailey and wont for marsh . mean while the only batsman who has done what the selectors want (score 1st class runs)phil hughes is left in the dark . as for this nonsense about being suited to south African conditions and seeing him as a top order prospect only now .doolan bats at no3 and marsh opens . what is the difference ? oh by the way the only one of these 3 players that has back to back hundreds against south africa in south Africa is hughes . maybe they just don't like you phil the same as katich
jameswm
Guest
There are no injuries to the starting XI - or X I guess with no Bailey. I'd always assumed Doolan will get the spot. And even if Marsh is injured, I hardly see how Hughes could make the test team ahead of Doolan. If so how did Doolan get selected first? No idea who I would put in for Bird with Starc and Cummins injured (and in Cummins' case untested for about 18 months with the red ball). Sayers, NCN, Hazlewood, Cutting, Bollinger - I guess it would come from them.