Australia chairman of selectors John Inverarity has defended the non-selection of young quicks Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird for the Australia A clash against South Africa next month.

Victorian John Hastings and West Australian Nathan Coulter-Nile will share the new ball against the tourists at the SCG from November 2-4, in what will be their last hit-out before the first Test starting at the Gabba on November 9.

Hazlewood and Bird along with in-form strokeplayer Callum Ferguson were the obvious omissions from the Andrew McDonald-captained side.

“John Hastings has made a splendid return from injury, as has (wicketkeeper) Tim Paine, and John will share the new ball with Nathan Coulter-Nile, who impressed with Australia A in England a few months ago, as did (opening batsman Liam) Davis,” Inverarity said.

“They will be supported by the medium pace of McDonald and (Moises) Henriques.”

Inverarity said Bird, who has taken 66 wickets in his 11-game Sheffield Shield career including 4-73 in Victoria’s first innings at the MCG this week, was right on the selectors’ radar.

“Two bowlers who could well have been in that team were Jackson Bird and Josh Hazlewood. But we’d prefer to keep them up our sleeve at this stage,” Inverarity said.

“You can quite easily get some injuries. You can very easily have a couple go down so Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird are two very much on our radar.

“They’re two very tall and very good bowlers.”

Inverarity said Ferguson, who scored a century for South Australia this week, needed to be more consistent.

Squad: Andrew McDonald (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Davis, Alex Doolan, John Hastings, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, Rob Quiney, Steve Smith.