Nathan Coulter-Nile and Scott Boland could make Test debuts against the West Indies as Australia’s pace depth continues to be stretched.
Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson have been included in a 12-man squad for the clash in Hobart that starts on December 10.
Boland is on standby and will travel to Tasmania this weekend if any of the four pacemen in the squad are not going to be fit enough for the game.
National selectors will be forced to make one change to the XI, with Pattinson coming in for injured spearhead Mitchell Starc.
However, Peter Siddle has a back niggle and team management have been worried about Josh Hazlewood’s workloads since the first Test against New Zealand.
“Hopefully all the bowlers from the Adelaide Test recover well over the next few days but we are mindful our fast bowlers have had a heavy workload over this series,” chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said.
“Scott presents as a good option if the situation with any of our fast bowlers change.
“He’s bowling very well at the moment and is not far off selection.
“His seven-wicket haul against Western Australia showed just what he can do at an elite level.”
The 26-year-old has done a mountain of fitness work in recent years, dropping 22 kilograms.
Boland will play for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield round starting this Sunday unless Cricket Australia summon him to Hobart.
Coulter-Nile, who has played 13 ODIs and 11 T20s for Australia, only recently started bowling due to a shoulder injury.
He should have bowled for Western Australia last weekend but was given a one-match ban for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision in the domestic second XI league.
Coulter-Nile hasn’t played first-class cricket since the Sheffield Shield final in March.
“In an ideal world we would have liked Nathan Coulter-Nile to have played some more Sheffield Shield cricket,” Marsh said.
“But he has been a proven performer for Australia in short-format cricket and has very good pace.
“We think he is ready to compete at Test level if required.”
Steve Smith indicated after his side’s three-wicket win over NZ that Siddle should be ok to play in Hobart.
Hazlewood’s bowled a total of 119.1 overs throughout the three-Test series and Smith noted he would need a rest soon.
Pat Cummins remains sidelined with a serious back injury, while Mitchell Johnson’s retirement has also given selectors some headaches.
Australia’s 12-man squad: David Warner, Joe Burns, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Nathan Coulter-Nile (Scott Boland on standby).
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
He's a very outspoken individual.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
That's a strange argument you have there, Chief. What about the fact that NCN is a strike bowler (like Starc) and Bird is line and length (like Hazle and Siddle)? Bowlers need to complement each other with their different styles.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Agreed Sideline.
Don Freo
Guest
Just isn't coming on as a batsman. Bollinger might be batting better than Abbott atm.
Nudge
Guest
Plus 15 wickets at 18 in the mandator with an economy exactly 4. That's seriously good figures. He will be a better bat than johnson one day as well.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
He's had two good games. Or one good game and a couple of ok games. It's hardly form. I don't dislike Bird, he just needs to prove his form over a longer period, rather than knee-jerk reactions. I'm not saying NCN is much better, mind you.
Rellum
Roar Guru
So based on those selections I think we can guess that Bird will never play for Aus again. But it is comforting to know that the selectors are really on top of things with their gut selections.
AREH
Roar Guru
Dare I say possibly the best exponent of pure swing bowling in Australia; unfortunately, and I think unfairly, his pace, or lack thereof, will always push him further back in the pecking order
Jeremy
Guest
I'd really love to see Sayers get a crack. I've watched him in several Shield matches and at times that man has the ball on a string.
Alan
Guest
Saker is a bit of a dill. Fair enough to support his own players but a bit over the top to be openly critical of players from other teams.
Alan
Guest
They're the new NSW. Although, to be fair, most of the NSW players selected (and criticised) have been successful.
Jwedlake
Guest
David Saker said pattison wasn't ready for test cricket n then said NCN was a ridiculous choice for the Hobart test. This is the same David Saker who, after finishing with England, said that he would not share any England "secrets" with Australia even though he was paid by Victoria. Well Saker, you can take your secrets and your opinions back to England because Cricket Australia and their selectors don't value your opinions or your loyalty to bloody England. Good riddance sir!!
Dussey
Guest
It's a terrible thing to say but it's about time someone said it. Jackson Bird is suffering not only because he is out of favour but because of his interview with Tony Abbott and the fact he is from the old boys of Riverview Private School. Don't think so, have a look at the Politics of the Current Test Selectors.There can be no other reason for Coulter Nile selection over Bird.
matth
Guest
Thanks Don, I look forward to seeing him.
matth
Guest
Didn't actually think of Abbott. How is he going this year? I always thought of him more as a limited overs bowler
danno
Guest
S Abbott is a better prospect. Reverses it and can bat, also has a rocket arm.
Don Freo
Guest
Nah...he has had a couple of good seasons in a row.
Don Freo
Guest
Paris. He has everything. Behrendorff is a tight, disciplined and skilled bowler but will eke batsmen out. Paris will dismiss them to the changerooms.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Boland seems a bit of a strange one. My concern is that they've picked him off the back of one match against a very inexperienced WA batting side.
VivGilchrist
Guest
To true. We have an obsession with 140+ bowlers but seem to disrespect bowlers that swing and nip it about. That's why we'll always struggle in conditions not conducive to pace.