An update on Shane Watson’s availability for the first Ashes Test is expected today, giving batsmen around the country a clear picture of what they’re shooting for in a crucial week of first-class cricket.
Experienced No.3 Watson is racing the clock to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the Brisbane Test starting on November 21, with Cricket Australia to provide a solid indication of his chances after the ongoing assessment he’s received since arriving back from the one-day tour of India.
There’s already one position vacant in the Australian top six, but should Watson be scratched, selectors will have to fill two spots and decide on a new team balance for the opener against England.
Three Sheffield Shield matches and Australia A’s four-day tour match against England kick off on Wednesday, and the pressure on several fringe Test players in contention will hit its peak.
Alex Doolan and Shaun Marsh are the Australia A batsmen with serious claim to a call-up, while George Bailey and Phil Hughes have elected to play for their respective states in the Shield despite only arriving back from the one-day tour of India on Monday morning.
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The only key player who won’t line up this week is allrounder James Faulkner, who is taking a well-earned rest.
Test great and Western Australia coach Justin Langer says if players can thrive in this week’s environment, they can handle the spotlight of a Test match.
“In situations like this, the person who can almost divorce themselves from those external pressures and still make runs, they’re usually the guys that are in a good frame of mind to play in a Test match,” Langer said.
“That’s a really tough external pressure to have.
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“It’s a huge opportunity.”
Should Watson be fit to play in his normal role as an allrounder in Brisbane, the favourite for the vacant No.6 spot is Bailey.
However, if Watson is ruled out, Australia would need a replacement top-order batsman, meaning Doolan or Marsh could come into contention.
The absence of Watson as a bowling option could potentially cost Bailey his place, with the temptation to move keeper Brad Haddin to six and pick Faulkner as the allrounder at 7.
Doolan rose in estimations with a brilliant Shield hundred for Tasmania against NSW last week.
But Marsh has the benefit of a Test century behind him, on debut against Sri Lanka back in 2011.
Marsh’s electric start was matched by the swiftness of his exit – out the back door after averaging 2.83 with a highest score of 11 in the 2011-12 home series against India.
“Mentally it really showed me you’ve got to be 100 per cent on top of your game and I wasn’t that during that series,” Marsh said.
“I probably had a few distractions away from cricket which didn’t help but I guess if I ever do get another opportunity I’d be a lot better prepared.
“They’ll pick the guy who has scored the most runs and the guy who is in the best nick.”
With three Shield matches and an international, someone may be one great innings away from a Test spot.
