Australia announce squad for tour of South Africa: George Bailey dropped, Shaun Marsh returns

George Bailey has been dropped from the Australian Test squad for the tour of South Africa. The middle-order batsman is the only name – amongst the 11 Australians who inflicted a whitewash on the England cricket team in the recently concluded Ashes series – missing from the squad named on Sunday.

The Tasmanian scored 183 in 8 knocks at an average of 26.14 in the five-match series.

Shaun Marsh has made a surprise return to the Australia team, despite not impressing a lot in the current first-class season. The 30-year-old last played a Test, two years ago against India in Adelaide.

Also returning is fast bowler James Pattinson, who had been out of action for a lengthy period following a back injury. The Victorian will find it hard to make the first XI though, as Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris were in prime form during the Ashes and Peter Siddle has been the Australia’s most consistent bowler over the last few years.

Alex Doolan is the only uncapped player in the side. Although Doolan isn’t a regular wicket-keeper, he has been included mainly to act as a back-up to Brad Haddin.

Full squad: 

Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.