Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris surged closer to Australian Test recalls with lively spells in the Adelaide Oval nets on Wednesday amid reports that Mitchell Johnson has been dropped for the match.
Watched by selectors Andrew Hilditch and Jamie Cox, Bollinger and Harris had many a batsman hopping around on grassy practice pitches to press their case for inclusion to freshen a team that was exceptionally weary by the end of the fifth day in Brisbane.
Hilditch was later seen in conversation with Johnson and the website SportsNewsFirst - affiliated with player managers and successful in tipping the non-selection of Bollinger for Brisbane - has reported that the left-arm paceman will not be included in the final XI.
Former selector Merv Hughes has argued that to drop Johnson now would be to strike a fearful blow to his fragile confidence, and Michael Clarke reckoned the left-armer would emerge from the episode a stronger cricketer.
"Mitch is fine. He's had a bat today - again he wasn't bowling today, in preparation for the Test, to allow his body to have a bit of a rest," Clarke said.
"They're both looking forward to an opportunity, and the selectors have obviously got a tough job.
"But we've got to pick the attack we think can take 20 wickets on what is going to be a pretty good batting wicket."
Johnson, Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle will be given a little more to do at the team's final training session on Thursday afternoon.
"But we've got a pretty good squad, we've got five fast bowlers to choose from plus Watto (Shane Watson) and a couple of spinners, Xavier (Doherty) and (Marcus) North, Katto (Simon Katich) and maybe a couple of part-timers.
"We're confident we can get the right XI and take 20 wickets out there."
Bollinger and Harris were among six Australian players to appear at the Adelaide Oval Test match dinner on Wednesday night but Johnson was absent.
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