Gabba Shield clash key to first Test

Ten days out from the first Test of the summer, captain Steve Smith believes there won’t be too many surprises in Australia’s starting XI at the WACA.

Smith flies to Brisbane today for NSW’s day-night Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland starting tomorrow, the only first-class hit-out before the Test squad assembles in Perth on Saturday before Thursday week’s opening Test against South Africa.

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While former Australia skipper Mark Taylor said that more than half the Test XI is up for grabs, Smith told reporters in Sydney prior to his departure that he thinks the selectors are close to finalising the first Test team.

“I don't think they (the Australian selectors) are too far off,” Smith said.

“I'd say they want to see a few guys play in the first couple of days in the Shield game then be settled.”

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The Gabba Shield match carries extra importance than the two other four-day clashes in Melbourne and Perth.

For one, the fixture features nine players from the ill-fated Sri Lanka Test tour, with all eyes on Mitchell Starc’s return to competitive cricket.

Starc was set to rest following the Sri Lanka tour, but a deep laceration to his left leg sustained from a fielding mishap nearly six weeks ago has waylaid the quick.

The 26-year-old has been bowling for two weeks now and will have his bowling workloads restricted in Brisbane as he aims to be fit and firing for the first Test against the Proteas.

The cut in his leg hasn’t completely healed, with the left-armer saying he’s spoken to his Blues skipper and could be fielding in the slips this week to avoid any further damage.

“I think he'll do his best to stay on his feet as much as he can,” said Smith.

“He's bowled the last couple of weeks, he feels like the ball is coming out really well so a bit of game time into him (will be good).

“I'll take care of him and make sure he's OK for that first Test match.

“It's exciting to see him back on the park.”

The Gabba clash will also be the last chance to impress the selectors for axed top-order Test batsmen Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns.

The Queensland pair were omitted for Australia’s final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August, with Khawaja saying he and Burns were “scapegoats” for the disappointing results of the touring batsmen.

Image Id: 4ACE462687654B37B432A78C88E4AB43 Image Caption: Khawaja bowled in Galle // Getty

While Khawaja might not agree with the selection philosophy, Smith says it’s part and parcel of a selectors job to make the tough calls.

“The selectors have a role to play and to try and pick the best team for each game that we play in,” he said.

“They saw fit that he wasn’t going to be part of that third Test.

“Usman’s entitled to his opinions but the selectors have a job to do.”

Khawaja was imperious last summer, scoring four centuries at home and across the Tasman in New Zealand, and Smith expects to see more of the same from the elegant left-hander.

And those runs could be opening the batting in the Baggy Green if Western Australia’s Shaun Marsh fails to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the first Test starting on 3 November.

“Uzzie probably hasn’t got as many runs as he would have liked in the Matador Cup,” said Smith.

“He’s come off a great summer here last year and he’s a quality player so I’m sure he’ll be amongst the runs soon.

“I think Usman can bat anywhere in the top three. He’s opened for a large chunk of his career growing up.

“I actually don’t see a huge difference between batting No.3 and opening the batting.

“I’m sure he’d be fine if he had to bat up the top of the order.”

The duo will be put under extreme pressure with the pink Kookaburra ball from Starc and pace partner Josh Hazlewood.

Both speedsters, if fit, are expected to share the new ball in Perth, with the other two main contenders for the third seamer’s spot - Victoria’s Peter Siddle and Tasmania’s Jackson Bird - squaring off at the MCG.