AAP
Australia captain Michael Clarke is adamant his problem-plagued team can find a way to succeed against the No.1-ranked South Africa when the first cricket Test begins at the Gabba on Friday.
After a week when several of Australia's top-order batsmen failed to fire in first class matches across the country, Clarke goes into the first Test with the added worry of two players under an injury cloud.
While veteran Ricky Ponting looks likely to play despite pulling out of Tasmania's Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia with a tight hamstring, there are serious concerns about allrounder Shane Watson, who is battling a calf strain.
Victoria's left-handed opener Rob Quiney, who made scores of 85 and 11 not out for Australia A in the tour match against South Africa that finished in a draw on Sunday, was later called up as cover for Watson.
Watson failed to feature in the second innings of NSW's Shield loss to Queensland and is battling to prove his fitness for the Gabba Test, but Clarke was confident whoever took the field against the Proteas could do the job, and was adamant there would be no excuses made.
"You look at our performance last summer, he (Watson) didn't play one Test match and we beat India 4-0," Clarke said.
"We'll find a way. We did last summer and if Watto's not available somebody will come in and grab that opportunity.
"I'd love him to be fit but if he's not we'll find a way."
Clarke met with the rest of Australia's selectors on Sunday to originally choose two players to put on standby in case Ponting and/or Watson could not make it onto the field on Friday.
But it was decided to just add Quiney, who was set to fly from Sydney to Brisbane on Sunday night.
Quiney got the nod ahead of his Australia A teammates Phil Hughes and Alex Doolan, who made an impressive 161 not out, as well as Usman Khawaja and allrounders Andrew McDonald and Glenn Maxwell.
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity noted that Quiney's efforts at the SCG against the powerful Proteas pace attack got him over the line.
"... Against the strong South African attack, (Quiney) demonstrated a good range of shots and a sound technique," said Inverarity.
"Rob is a mature player with an equable temperament who has been on the verge of higher honours for some time."
The 30-year-old has made 3092 first-class runs at an average of 37.7 and was last season named State Player of the Year.
Quiney said he hoped Watson would be fit to play at the Gabba, but he's ready to seize the opportunity handed his Test debut.
"It's a massive opportunity to join the squad heading into such an important series," he said.
"Hopefully Shane can get up and be right because he's such an important player for the team.
"But I'll obviously be training and preparing to be ready to go if he doesn't."
No comments:
Post a Comment