Moises Henriques is on the cusp of playing his first Test on home soil after being summoned to Adelaide as Australia’s injury crisis deepened.
Henriques, who himself suffered a minor hamstring strain a week ago that forced him to miss a pink-ball tour game at the SCG, linked up with the Test squad on Monday.
Openers David Warner (groin) and Will Pucovski (concussion) have already been ruled unfit for the day-night first Test against India starting on Thursday.
Cameron Green (concussion) remains in doubt, while the team revealed on Monday that fast-bowling allrounder Sean Abbott will remain at home to recover from a calf strain he suffered while playing for Australia A.
The addition of Henriques to what is now a 19-man squad – albeit with three members not in Adelaide – is a major blow to out-of-form opener Joe Burns’ hopes of retaining his spot in the XI.
The promotion of uncapped 21-year-old Green or Henriques at the expense of Burns looms as the most obvious change to Australia’s incumbent top six.
That would mean either Matthew Wade or Marnus Labuschagne is asked to open alongside Marcus Harris, another late addition to the squad.
There were calls for Shaun Marsh or Usman Khawaja to return to the fold but chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer settled on experienced allrounder Henriques as their go-to man.
Henriques, Warner, Pucovski, Green, Abbott, Marcus Stoinis (side), Ashton Agar (calf), Mitchell Starc (back and ribs), Josh Hazlewood (back), Aaron Finch (glute), Jackson Bird (calf) and Harry Conway (concussion) have all suffered recent setbacks during a nightmare stretch for Australia.
Langer’s squad will train on Tuesday, when Green will have a better idea of whether he is still a chance of debuting.
It is unclear how many overs Henriques will be able to deliver if selected, especially given his recent setback.
But it is the 33-year-old’s batting, including knocks of 113 and 167 in the recent Sheffield Shield hub, that has given him a shot at extending a four-Test career that so far has been contained to the subcontinent.
Henriques has spoken openly in recent years about his clinical depression and anxiety.
Henriques had every reason to believe his international career was over, having been repeatedly overlooked by selectors since the 2017 Champions Trophy.
But he was picked to captain Australia A earlier this year in a pink-ball clash then represented Australia in five of six possible games during the recent limited-overs series against India.
“When it’s a 50-50 decision, you can never really have too much beef,” Henriques said recently.
“There’s a couple of guys that are always fighting for those last few spots … everything’s a learning curve.”
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
I thought W looked very promising but I was a bit alarmed by what looked to me like compulsive hooking, with a lot of the shots not looking well controlled. However, he looks to have all the shots and to be an exciting prospect.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
yes I remember the eng team of the late 1980s and 1990s very well. the obsession of the English media with the new Ian Bothams reached ridiculous proportion. Anyone who could bowl and bat a bit in club cricket was considered a top class all rounder.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Paul, Poor Jack Wildermuth. Forgotten, but not gone...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Paul, why do you say that Maddison was "chucked in the deep end in his Test debut"?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
The more I think about this latest squad change the less sense it makes. One of your frontline bowlers gets injured and is replaced by a batting 'allrounder'. Where this 'allrounder' has averaged three overs per Shield match over the last 2.4 seasons. So this 'allrounder' has been chosen to bat in the top (7) and, if necessary, trundle a few overs down. But wait. If Green's in the side then there's him, Marnus & even Wade in the side who can do that. And if this 'allrounder' is being chosen purely as a batsman then there's something seriously wrong with the selection process.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
I meant sacrificing a non-opener by putting them into a position they don’t play, but sure.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Last time I checked an opener was a batsman. Love to be there when you tell David Warner he isn't a real batsman.
Micko
Roar Rookie
WA? We've been elevated to Test status now?! :silly:
U
Roar Rookie
Experienced all rounder? His experience is all of a few tests where he didn’t do much.
Rellum
Roar Guru
From memory the pitch was shocking so Bardman put in the bowlers first until the pitched dried out, he came in a number 8 or something and score 200 odd. But I would check that.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
How’d it go?
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Of course, but the risk is far far higher facing a brand new ball on day 1. You don't risk Cummins. I'd probably go Wade as the stop gap opener.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Bradman did
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
I would be interested to know if there’s any sides who’ve tried it. Not opening with genuine bunnies, but bowlers with solid defences.
Rob
Guest
If this was 4-5 years ago I'd agree with you but I think in the recent ODI and T20 series he showed he can handle international cricket. In fact, I think he's always had the ability but just seemed to be a bit flustered when he put the Aussie colours on. Now that he's a bit older and more experienced it seems like he has overcome that and could do a solid job for us at 6 if Green isn't fit.
Rob
Guest
Was having a laugh with a mate the other day and said that they may as well just open with Neser and Pattinson. Would give us plenty of bowling options and I'd honestly back them to do just as well as any of our other openers at the moment.
Paul
Roar Guru
McDermott is one of those cricketers you want to shake. He's probably got more talent in his left hand than I could ever hope to have, yet has not really translated that into lots and lots of runs. That innings against India was as good as I've seen him play, especially given the match situation and, as you say, a very useful Indian attack. It might be a stretch to suggest he or Weatherald could play Tests on the strength of just those innings, but maybe it's enough to convince them they can play with the big boys and do well.
Paul
Roar Guru
I agree about how comfortable Maddinson looked Simon. A far cry from when he was chucked in the deep end in his Test debut. Love to see him get another shot at Test cricket.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
But that risk exists wherever he bats.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
For sure Harris and/or Khawaja. It’s the idea of sacrificing a batsman by promoting them to opener that makes no sense to me.