South Australia’s Callum Ferguson is among several batsmen who appear to have picked themselves for the Australia A game against South Africa on November 2-4 at the SCG.
Ferguson’s 164 in this week’s Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at Adelaide Oval prompted South Australia coach Darren Berry and his Queensland counterpart Darren Lehmann to sing the praises of the 27-year-old former Australian one-day international.
“It was good to see him play well. He’s obviously close to playing for Australia … he looked the goods,” Lehmann said, with the Australia A squad set to be announced on Friday.
Former Test batsmen Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja, who have left NSW to join South Australia and Queensland respectively this summer, are also likely selections.
The beefy Tasmania opener Mark Cosgrove, with 288 Shield runs this season at an average of 72, is also a strong contender.
Former Test gloveman Tim Paine, who has battled a long-term finger injury, is a possible skipper of the Australia A side.
NSW allrounder Moises Henriques, with 289 runs at an average of 289.00 and seven wickets at 15.28 this season, is knocking down the door for selection.
Victoria’s first-year limited-overs international representative Glenn Maxwell is making a case for himself behind Henriques and possibly Victoria’s Andrew McDonald in the pecking order for back-up allrounders to Test star Shane Watson.
McDonald made a timely 64 in front of national chairman of selectors John Inverarity on Thursday in the Shield match against Tasmania at the MCG.
Maxwell also contributed a half-century when he hit 51 off 69 balls.
Tasmania paceman Jackson Bird, a possible bolter for Ashes-squad selection in 2013, would be a well-deserved selection at Australia A level.
NSW quick Josh Hazlewood and Queenslander Alister McDermott, both 21, would also be in contention alongside former Test spearhead Mitchell Johnson.
Possible Australia A squad to play South Africa at the SCG on November 2-4: Tim Paine (capt), Phil Hughes, Mark Cosgrove, Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson, Andrew McDonald, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Jackson Bird, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Cutting, Josh Hazlewood, Alister McDermott.