Siddle, Hilfenhaus rested as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 name Perth Test squad – Cricket News Update
Cricket Australia today announced squad for the third and final Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, starting at the WACA Ground in Perth on Friday, November 30, 2012.
As anticipated, pacers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Pattinson-c1653 is a forced omission due a side strain.
Pattinson broke down with a rib injury during the enthralling Adelaide Test, leaving Siddle and Hilfenhaus to toil in the scorching heat for nearly five sessions during South Africa's second innings.
"Both players are still quite fatigued," Australia captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 told reporters on the eve of the match.
Siddle bowled 33 overs, conceding runs at a stunning economy of 1.96 runs per over and picking up four wickets as well, while Hilfenhaus delivered 34 overs, including 16 maidens, returning with figures of 65 for 1.
Veteran all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558, who was also named in Adelaide Test’s preliminary squad but missed the encounter, is a certainty to play after recovering completely from the calf injury, he had sustained earlier this month.
Pace quartet of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/John-Wayne-Hastings-c68914 has also been named in the 12-man squad.
Stakes will be high for both the sides going into the third Test, as a victory at the WACA would allow the mighty Aussies to return to the top of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test rankings after a gap of more than three years. The Proteas on the other hand need to just draw the Perth Test to keep their No. 1 status intact.
Meanwhile, former Australian skipper and veteran middle-order batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 has announced retirement from Test cricket, stating the Perth Test against South Africa will be his swansong appearance in the longest format of the game.
Ponting, a veteran of 167 Tests, has been enduring an extended lean patch over the past 12 months. He has also failed to impress in the ongoing Test series against South Africa thus far, managing scores of 0, 4 and 16 in the last three outings. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope the Tasmanian star smashes a farewell ton at WACA to end his 17-year-long career on a high.
Australia squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson.
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