Mitchell Marsh is set to make his Test debut against Pakistan next month, with Shane Watson ruled out of Australia’s tour to the United Arab Emirates.
Watson has suffered a setback while recovering from the ankle injury that forced him to miss the recent one-day tri-series in Zimbabwe.
Watson’s calf injury means fellow allrounder Marsh will almost certainly be given his Baggy Green on October 22, when Australia start their two-Test series against Pakistan in Dubai.
Kane Richardson has taken Watson’s place in Australia’s Twenty20 and one-day squads, while Ben Hilfenhaus has been drafted into the Test squad.
“The selectors have opted for another pace option in Ben as we feel we have enough cover in the allrounder position,” chief selector Rod Marsh said in a statement.
Watson felt he would be ready for the two-Test series, but selectors opted to take a more conservative approach with the 33-year-old.
“To ensure he has the best chance of being fit for the big summer ahead,” Marsh explained.
“Shane has done everything he can to get up for this tour and left no doubt in our minds that he wanted to push through.
“Had the decision been left to Shane, he would be on the plane.
“We believe the best thing for Shane is to stay home and get 100 per cent fit as we know what a dynamic and destructive player he can be when his body is right.
“He remains an integral part of our plans for the summer.”
Watson will aim to return for the home limited-overs series against South Africa in November.
“I’ve been here before and know what I need to do to get back to full fitness. That means remaining positive and working hard,” he said.
Watson has overcome a series of injuries in his career, but played all 10 matches in last year’s back-to-back Ashes series.
It was a calf issue in South Africa that stopped that run, forcing Watson to miss the first two Tests against the Proteas in February.
Hilfenhaus, who has not played for Australia since December 2012, joins fellow quicks Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle in the Test squad.
“He is an experienced bowler who has worked very hard to get himself back to peak fitness,” Rod Marsh said.
“We know how well he can bowl in tough conditions.”
blanco
Guest
Reports suggest M.Marsh will play the first test.
Monday's Expert
Guest
You're also completely ignoring the facts as pointed out by ROC - The (at the time and arguably still) premier fast bowling pack in the world got well touched up on the same decks and yet Hilfenhaus is the Australian scapegoat? - Thanks for pointing that out, always suspected he was rubbish...
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I don't follow twitter and rarely use facebook. I would never use them as markers in alll honesty. It's like using Youtube comments to get some idea of how people feel.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
At the beginning of his innings, he looks very laboured. I would expect him to get better and this tour will help enormously. As a youngster he looked quite agile against spin so hopefully the basics are still there.
Rellum
Roar Guru
In the age of social media, if you play for the national team then you have a target on your back. I always get the feeling there is large support out there for the dropping of Watson, Doolan, Rodgers, Haddin and even Clarke. Not from people who know the game but the "gerenal" public.
Rellum
Roar Guru
His footwork look decent to me last time I saw him play.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
His footwork is dodgy against spin but he will improve I'm sure. Just seems to be massive expectations around a player who is trying to do a difficult job - that of all-rounder and he's still young in his trade, despite having been around for 5 years or so.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Siddle is probably be the best option to partner Johnson since he'll do that holding role and will remain tight, the problem with Starc and Johnson is the footmarks they'll create, which is just asking for trouble especially with the Australians history of getting out to anything that spins
Quitwhinging
Guest
Siddle is probably be the best option to partner Johnson since he'll do that holding role and will remain tight, the problem with Starc and Johnson is the footmarks they'll create, which is just asking for trouble especially with the Australians history of getting out to anything that spins
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am guessing they will pick Marsh to replace Watson. Out of the options that they have picked for the tour that would be my choice too. Marsh looks at least capable of battling through a tough spell on a turning wicket based of what I have seen of him batting.
Rellum
Roar Guru
If Hilfy is bowling at or above 140 kph then he should be in the Touring Squad. Especially with all the injuries.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
The way Pakistan floundered against the left arm spin of Herath recently, I'd be picking O'Keefe alongside Lyon in the opening Test. O'Keefe is a very similar bowler to Herath in that they do nothing out of the ordinary, just use subtle changes and accuracy to prey on the batsman's patience - something which is in short supply among many of the Pakistani bats. I wouldn't play both Johnson and Starc as you want one reliable frontline quick to be a stock bowler. Siddle and Hilfy could both play that role but Hilfy won't have played an FC match in more than seven months whereas Siddle is coming off a lengthy county stint. Easy choice there. Playing two frontline spinners means Maxwell's bowling would be redundant and Australia will need a 5th bowler in that heat and on potentially flat decks so that makes Marsh a default choice. This is the team I'd predict (assuming the pitch is, as expected, fairly flat without extravagant bounce or turn): 1. Warner 2. Rogers 3. Doolan 4. Clarke 5. Smith 6. Marsh 7. Haddin 8. Johnson 9. O'Keefe 10. Siddle 11. Lyon
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Good point. Siddle is a workhorse and would do well in the heat. With an all rounder (plus smith) and two spinners you are probably looking for more of a strike option than someone to bowl many overs and keep it tight.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
What I'm getting from the media and fans from Watson's injury is how much people want him gone. Seems a bit unfair, I don't expect Marsh to be as useful as Watson yet and surely that's the main criteria? Obviously at present, he keeps doing eye-catching things but test cricket is a different baby. Expectations around Marsh sound a bit unreal.
jack thomas
Guest
I never check stats. Not a geek. I judge the quality of bowler by just watching him bowl. But since so many of you here are bringing up stats, i decided to check cricinfo Overall Comparison of bowlers stats who have played few tests does not show their true skills. Even overall comparison states that he's way better than starc & pattinson. In a particular series since they all bowl on same pitches against same opponents, comparison makes sense. In 2012, home test series against India, Hilfenhaus dominated all 4 test matches exactly like johnson did in recent ashes at home. In that series, Ben was far better than starc, pattinson, siddle & harris. When starc & pattinson reach Ben's age they won't be half as talented as they are now. Clarke is a politics boy. He doesn't care abt win/loss. Only cares abt his captaincy post & power. He wants boys like him (not men). So, he took much less talented starc & pattinson & ignored Ben when he was completely fit for ashes '13 in england & all series after. Hilfy is better than the rest. He had hat-trick against Tasmania this year. Take that.
San
Guest
Did someone pass away guys
Yusuf
Guest
Wishing watson best for this tough time
Quitwhinging
Guest
Starc and Johnson? that's a big call since they'll both create footmarks for the Pakistan spinners to aim at, be better to have a right armer in there, preferably Siddle
Quitwhinging
Guest
I'm criticizing him on being useless in the Brisbane and Adelaide test against South Africa, I don't know why you bring up his early stats because a shield season where he averaged 35 doesn't warrant a recall
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Interesting points Ronan. I don't dislike HIllfy. I just thought he was out of question with a poor Shield season last year. He's a proven test performer though. I too think Marsh will play. Based on the selectors' comments he's ahead of Maxwell. For mine, I think we'll get something like this: Rogers Warner Doolan Clarke Smith Marsh Haddin Johnson Starc SOK Lyon Ordering 8-10 is tough, it's a very strong tail.