Australia again have an unsettled XI for the Ashes opener, this time because of David Warner’s stiff neck and Shaun Marsh’s sore back, prompting selectors to summon Glenn Maxwell to Brisbane.
The selection debate is back on, having raged so robustly over the past month – culminating in one of the hardest meetings Trevor Hohns had chaired.
In the rich tradition of last-minute Ashes drama and 12 years after Glenn McGrath’s freak ankle injury, Australia’s bid to reclaim the urn is suddenly beset by mishaps.
It remains to be seen whether Warner, who remains restricted by his stiff neck but very confident he will face England after batting in the nets on Wednesday, will take his place on Thursday at the top of the order.
It was thought Maxwell flew in as cover for the vice-captain, who would be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.
But it emerged on Wednesday afternoon that Marsh, who was slated to open if Warner wasn’t fit enough to feature in the first Test, was also nursing a niggle.
It would be an extraordinary series of events for Maxwell to bat at No.6 in his first Test on home soil – a week after being overlooked in favour of Marsh and a day after dashing to Melbourne Airport on short notice.
The presence of only one shadow batsman suggests Marsh’s concern is more serious than that of Warner.
“He said he’ll even bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to,” skipper Steve Smith said of Warner, in reference to the West Indian’s unique face-on technique that made his own look orthodox.
“He’s very confident and he says he’ll be right to go.
“He’ll be OK. It’s part and parcel of playing cricket. Guys have injuries every now and then, and have little niggles.
“He’s improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours and, hopefully, he can keep improving and be 100 per cent at 10am.”
Marsh has a history of back trouble and was restricted by a jarred back in his most-recent Test earlier this year in India.
Team medicos and chairman of selectors Hohns face some tough calls. The worst-case scenario would be for both Warner and Marsh to play then retire hurt at some point in Australia’s first innings.
“I’m sure he will be fine,” England captain Joe Root said of Warner.
“These sort of things tend to crop up before a big series but I don’t think we need to change our plans on anything. We’ll still prepare the same and be absolutely ready for him to play.”
The aggressive opener twinged his neck on Tuesday morning while taking a catch at the Gabba.
Warner received treatment overnight and hit the nets on Wednesday morning after a brief chat with team physio David Beakley.
It wasn’t the most exacting session, with Warner batting in a hat and only facing throwdowns. He started cautiously then finished with a flurry of pull shots.
Interested onlookers Beakley and Hohns appeared somewhat satisfied.
“I don’t think a sore neck is going to keep me out,” Warner declared on Tuesday.
beepee
Guest
I've thought this for a long time. Why are the selectors never made accountable for their performances like everyone else?
Rob
Guest
Surely the only player that could replace Shaun at 6 is Mitchell Marsh. It un Australian.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Bairstow is coming off some ordinary batting in the WI series.
dave
Guest
The selectors will want to carefully manage Marsh's injury because they will want him fresh for the next 2 Ashes series after this.
Andrew
Roar Guru
If anyone is interested myself and some Aussie and English lads filmed a bit of banter and French Cricket at The Oval yesterday – https://twitter.com/BBCNewsbeat/status/933320400695693313 Also on BBC Newsbeat podcast, about 11:20min in – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09f39bm
Jarijari
Roar Rookie
They would have figured at that stage that Marsh or Khawaja could open.
Jarijari
Roar Rookie
Not a great Maxwell fan but if he was next cab off the rank why didn't they just pick him ahead of Marsh in the first place. At least he can bowl a bit. There should always be some sort of extra bowling option.
Brasstax
Guest
My copy and paste Ashes predictions from an other article... England will win or draw the first test and win the day night test. Stokes will play at least 2 tests. Mitch Marsh will play in at least 2 tests in a new cooked up avatar depending on the selectors' mood. Smith will have an average series which will include a match turning big hundred. Moeen Ali will have a shocker. Bancroft will make a promising start. Handscomb will have a poor series and might well be dropped for the final test or two. Bairstow will establish himself as a modern day batting great. Cook will retire at the end of the series. The series will either be drawn or Australia will win 3-2.
Rock
Guest
34
Brian George
Guest
Your comments do your namesake no credit Cadfael. I fear you would struggle to solve the mystery of your shoelaces and how to tie them.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
And Lehmann and Ferguson have both scored centuries this Shield season both showing form that Maxwell hasn't.
Ben
Roar Rookie
He is cover for marsh. Maxwell was only due to play on Friday so he wouldn't miss a game if not needed. You may not like him but maxwell is a recognised batsmen who scored a century in India.
Matth
Guest
Shaun Marsh injured? The shock! He’s already a restricted fielder these days. He’s obviously in such brilliant form that they are willing to play even a half fit Marsh. Well who wouldn’t? He’s a batting legend is our Marsh. Maybe he can at seven so Maxwell can field the whole game without upsetting the batting order. After all our keeper has a stellar batting record so batting at 6 shouldn’t be a problem. Oh wait ...
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It is a rubbish replacement call. If there was concern about Warner, another opener should have been callled up. If it is as a possible replacement for Marsh then Jake Lehmann or Ferguson could have been looked at. Someone who has scored heaps of runs this season and is a recogniseed batsman.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
This is an odd replacement for an opening batsman if it turns out Warner can't play. Presumably Marsh (if fit) would open and Maxwell go to the middle order. I guess the Weatherald hasn't played many matches in his career, and only had one standout game so far this season. Two noobs opening would be a risky move. With Cowan not playing, at CA's instruction, he couldn't be considered.
GD66
Guest
And yet not a surprise. Who selects the selectors ? Hohns was past his use-by date in his first incarnation.
Ben
Roar Rookie
At least both injuries happened before the game.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I hope it's not Warner's call on whether he is in good enough condition. Players shouldn't be in the 11 if they are not fully mobile at start of play. Shaun Marsh was never going to last the series but to be injured before it's started is bad timing by even his standards of fragility.
dave
Guest
Worst case scenario.Same as what Ben said but one of our quicks gets injured and we don't have a 5th bowling option.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Poor Warner forgot to swallow the Viagra with water, now its stuck in his throat.