Mitchell Johnson and fellow Ashes hopefuls must prove themselves in Shield cricket. Source: AAP
FORMER Test speedster Geoff Lawson has warned against premature selection of Australia's first Test side to face England insisting all spots must be won the hard way.
Lawson, 55, wants Mitchell Johnson in Australia's Test line-up if the left-armer can prove his mettle with the red ball.
Limited overs skipper George Bailey heads a list of contenders along with Shaun Marsh for the vacant middle-order slot.
National selectors will name Australia's squad for the November 21 Ashes opener on November 12 leaving just two Sheffield Shield rounds to settle on a side capable of reclaiming the Ashes from England.
"The great thing is they have three first class games before the first Test ... make people earn their spot," said 46-Test paceman Lawson.
"What happens if they pick a squad and Mitchell Johnson comes out and takes 0/100 in the third Shield round."
Lawson said naming a squad nine days before the first Test revived memories of Cricket Australia's ridiculed Ashes marketing stunt of 2010.
Australia unveiled a 17-man Ashes squad three years ago at the Sydney Opera House two weeks ahead of the series opener – setting the tone for the panic and confusion which engulfed Australia's 3-1 loss to Andrew Strauss' side.
"Remember last Ashes the marketing debacle they had, 23 players in Sydney to do a (squad) press release at the Opera House," said former Paksistan coach, now Sky television pundit Lawson.
"I would have thought half way through the third Shield match was the time to pick this squad."
Veteran Johnson has impressed on Australia's one-day tour of the subcontinent, unsettling India with fierce pace and lift while maintaining accuracy.
Johnson will have just the second round Shield clash against South Australia in Perth to press his claims for a Test recall against the Old Enemy.
Johnson has 205 wickets in 51 Tests but has struggled for consistency and control against the England at times for 35 wickets at 34 in nine starts.
"They will pick the team after the second Sheffield Shield round. His form in Shield cricket will matter not what he is doing in one-day cricket," said Lawson of Johnson.
"He has bowled very well recently but has to get into the longer game of four-day cricket to say he can deal with the old and new ball, comeback from spells and keep accuracy all the time."
30 Oct, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/geoff-lawson-warns-against-premature-selection-of-australias-first-test-side-to-face-england/story-e6frfkp9-1226749993469?from=public_rss
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