Proteas in Australia
Australia name squad for Perth
2012-11-26 11:40
Adelaide - Australia have named Shane Watson
and five pace bowlers, including Mitchell Johnson, in a 14-man squad for
the third and final Test against South Africa in Perth after drawing
the second Test in Adelaide on Monday.
Australia captain Michael
Clarke said Johnson, along with uncapped quicks Josh Hazlewood and John
Hastings, would all come under consideration for the Perth Test starting
on Friday, with James Pattinson ruled out with a rib injury.
Pacemen Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, who toiled in baking heat in
nearly five sessions of cricket during South Africa's second innings at
Adelaide Oval, would also be no certainty to recover in time,
potentially opening the door for the back-up pace bowlers.
Australia v South Africa 2nd Test Day 5 Highlights
"As
you've just seen Hilfie and Sidds have had a really heavy workload and
bowled a hell of a lot in the last couple of weeks in both Test
matches," Clarke told reporters.
"I think we need that option once we get to Perth to see how the boys pull up."
Rob Quiney, who batted at number three in the drawn Brisbane and
Adelaide tests with all-rounder Watson sidelined with a calf strain, has
been dropped for the final Test after failing with the bat in three
successive innings.
Quiney scored nine in Brisbane and a pair of ducks in Adelaide, making Watson an easy choice for selectors.
Despite dominating the Adelaide Test and having South Africa reeling at
45-4 shortly after tea on day four, Australia managed only four more
wickets as debutant Faf du Plessis scored a defiant century to secure a
draw on the fifth and final day.
Australia squad:Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson, Ed Cowan, David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, John Hastings, Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Johnson