Australia's squad for the 1st Ashes Test in Brisbane may be swollen to a lot of as 15 by a selection board still uncertain about the best team.
Next Monday, November 15, has been set down for months as the date on which the group will be named.
That deadline render the following round of Sheffield Shield matches, plus England's tour match against Australia an in Hobart, less significant than they might have been.
NSW will face Victoria and Tasmania play Queensland in two Shield matches beginning on Wednesday, while South Australia plays England from Thursday.
The first Test team of an Ashes summer is always the source of heightened interest, and in recent history 13 players have often been chosen to take to Brisbane previous to one is cut on match eve.
However the depth of conjecture about Australia's most excellent XI to face England at the Gabba may be established by chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch naming an even better squad than that.
His choices have been difficult by numerous factors, the most pressing being the injury-affected arrangements of pace options Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris and opener Simon Katich.
One more issue has arisen in the shape of a worrying lack of form established by the supposed first choices.
Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson in particular have yet to demonstrate enough evidence they are ready to face England, and will not play again before the announcement.
Among the younger aspirants, Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja and Indian Test debutant Peter George will also want to press their cases in those final Shield matches if included in an extended Australian squad.
The incumbent are well aware of the need to make runs for their states flanked by now and the first Test, lest a young upstart sense an opening.
Vice-captain Michael Clarke was on guard himself before his come back home from India.
"To me it's about picking your best 11 players for that Test match, and situation change as well, and I think we're in a great position with the amount of people who are in good nick around the country, to pick that best 11," said Clarke.
"I'm certain the guys who haven't played Test cricket will be trying to score as a lot of runs and take as many wickets as they can to push for selection.
"The guys in the Test team at the moment know we need to be at the top of our game, otherwise an important person will take our spot.
"There's always competition for spots, and I've openly said that you're never cemented in the Australian cricket team.
"It is important for all of us once we get back to Australia, to be performing, to have runs or wickets on the board, to put your hand up for the 1st Test."
Clarke was one such opportunist in 2006, going to Brisbane only after Shane Watson's late removal due to injury.
Next Monday, November 15, has been set down for months as the date on which the group will be named.
That deadline render the following round of Sheffield Shield matches, plus England's tour match against Australia an in Hobart, less significant than they might have been.
NSW will face Victoria and Tasmania play Queensland in two Shield matches beginning on Wednesday, while South Australia plays England from Thursday.
The first Test team of an Ashes summer is always the source of heightened interest, and in recent history 13 players have often been chosen to take to Brisbane previous to one is cut on match eve.
However the depth of conjecture about Australia's most excellent XI to face England at the Gabba may be established by chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch naming an even better squad than that.
His choices have been difficult by numerous factors, the most pressing being the injury-affected arrangements of pace options Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris and opener Simon Katich.
One more issue has arisen in the shape of a worrying lack of form established by the supposed first choices.
Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson in particular have yet to demonstrate enough evidence they are ready to face England, and will not play again before the announcement.
Among the younger aspirants, Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja and Indian Test debutant Peter George will also want to press their cases in those final Shield matches if included in an extended Australian squad.
The incumbent are well aware of the need to make runs for their states flanked by now and the first Test, lest a young upstart sense an opening.
Vice-captain Michael Clarke was on guard himself before his come back home from India.
"To me it's about picking your best 11 players for that Test match, and situation change as well, and I think we're in a great position with the amount of people who are in good nick around the country, to pick that best 11," said Clarke.
"I'm certain the guys who haven't played Test cricket will be trying to score as a lot of runs and take as many wickets as they can to push for selection.
"The guys in the Test team at the moment know we need to be at the top of our game, otherwise an important person will take our spot.
"There's always competition for spots, and I've openly said that you're never cemented in the Australian cricket team.
"It is important for all of us once we get back to Australia, to be performing, to have runs or wickets on the board, to put your hand up for the 1st Test."
Clarke was one such opportunist in 2006, going to Brisbane only after Shane Watson's late removal due to injury.
Australia
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