Mennie earns call-up to Australia Test squad

National Selection Panel chairman Rod Marsh says the batting ability of fast bowler Joe Mennie won him a spot over Jackson Bird in Australia’s 12-man Commonwealth Bank Test squad for the opening two Tests against South Africa.

Quick Single: Mennie bolts into Test squad

Mennie was a surprise selection in the Test squad announced today in Perth, with various experts, including former Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott, tipping Bird to feature at the WACA Ground next Thursday.

However, Marsh said that it was "very close" between Mennie and Bird, with the latter’s batting prowess, or lack thereof, costing him a place in the squad.

"I talked to Jackson again this morning and I said the thing that probably cost him a place was his batting,” Marsh told reporters today.

Rod Marsh discusses Australia's Test squad

"As you’re probably well aware, we’ve got to get runs at the bottom of the order as well, particularly against a very good attack."

Bird, who averages less than nine with the bat at first-class level, has been dismissed only once in six innings in Test cricket, - all of which have come at No.11 - while averaging 14.

Mennie boasts a first-class batting average of 18 in 66 innings with five half-centuries and a best of 79no, and is regularly used as South Australia's nightwatchman, as he was in the ongoing Sheffield Shield match at the WACA.

Joe Mennie averages 18 with the bat in first-class cricket // Getty

While Mennie was the leading wicket-taker in last year’s Shield competition, capturing 51 wickets in 11 matches for the tournament runners-up, Bird’s numbers from the same competition stack up just as well, if not better.

In eight Shield games for the Tigers in 2015-16, Bird captured 40 wickets with a better strike rate (41.4 to Mennie’s 50.5), average (19.5 to 21.21) and more five wicket hauls (three to zero, including one match haul of 10-92) than the newest squad member.

In his last Test – against New Zealand in Christchurch in February – Bird claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in the Baggy Green, helping Australia sweep the Black Caps and secure the world No.1 Test ranking.

And while Mennie was in action against South Africa A this winter, where he starred with back-to-back figures of 5-38 and 5-61 (and 50no), Bird was left to carry the drinks in Australia in Sri Lanka as the visitors employed two spinners to complement spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Mennie posts fifty against South Africa A

But as the Aussies prepare to take on a powerful Proteas pace attack led by Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada, Marsh said Australia's entire batting order will need to lift their output.

"Everyone needs to improve their batting, don't worry about that,” Marsh said.

"Because if we're going to beat good sides, we have to get a lot of runs.

"We believe the attack we've chosen is a good enough attack to bowl the opposition out twice, we've just got to get enough runs."

Australia squad for the first two Commonwealth Bank Test matches: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Mitch Starc, Adam Voges

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