Vice-captain Travis Head has been axed for the fifth Ashes Test as Australia hunt a series win at the Oval, where Mitch Marsh will return to the XI.
Selectors are yet to make a call on whether Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood will be rested from the series finale, which starts on Thursday.
Peter Siddle, who played the first two Tests, has been retained in a 12-man squad and could be recalled in place of the world’s top-ranked bowler Cummins or an in-form Hazlewood.
Regardless of the attack, coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns want to ensure their fast bowlers aren’t worked into the ground in London.
It means Marsh will don his baggy green for the first time since last year’s Boxing Day Test.
“It was a really tough call on Travis Head … we felt like we needed some extra bowling,” Tim Paine said.
“(Need) to look after our big fast bowlers.
“It’s not necessarily Travis being dropped. We’ve been really clear with Travis on why he isn’t playing this game.
“We had to make a really tough call on someone and it happened to be Travis.”
Head helped Australia salvage a draw at Lord’s but has since logged scores of zero, 25, 19 and 12.
Paine insisted the South Australian remained “a big part of our future”.
Paine noted Marsh has “worked his backside off” since the home summer, improving his fitness to a point where he sustain a big bowling and batting workload.
The skipper suggested selectors were still waiting to see how Hazlewood and Cummins pull up before making a call on whether Siddle returns.
James Pattinson had been expected to return after being rotated out of the attack in Manchester.
“We’ve been really pleased with what James has done in his return to Test cricket over here,” Paine said.
“He’s bowling very, very well. He’s going to be a huge asset for us going forward.
“We’ve said from the start that we want to make sure we look after him, so he’s got a lot more years of Test cricket left him.
“We can’t wait to get him back to Australia and unleash him during the summer.”
Australia’s 12-man squad for fifth Test: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And Sids defends his wicket better
maccaa62
Roar Rookie
Marsh needs to bat for at least 60 overs to justify his place. Doesn’t matter if he can’t get a ton, but we only need to draw this test. 3-1 would be sweet but 2-1 still is good. He also needs to bowl as many overs as Stokes can and trouble and or contain. Then we can all say well done selectors. But at the moment Neser and Siddle could have done same. Siddle a superior bowler with not so many monkeys on his back. A lot of pressure on Marsh, so it will be a test of his character and a real indication if he belongs.
U
Roar Rookie
Marsh won’t be needed to bowl long spells. And when he does bowl, he’s worse than Starc at keeping the runs down. He’s a poor fielder and will most likely cost the Aussies in the field.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I love the mincing of words. Its not about you but you are being dropped. Spare me the new age blah.