Ferguson and Mennie receive their Baggy Greens

Australia’s selectors have reacted to the Test loss in Perth by including South Australian pair Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie to make their debuts against South Africa in Hobart.

The decision, confirmed when the pair received their Baggy Green Caps from Greg Blewett and ex-test seamer Ben Hilfenhaus respectively prior to play starting at Blundstone Arena, also signalled the omission of allrounder Mitchell Marsh.

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Marsh had been under pressure to retain his place due to a lack of runs in a faltering Australian top order, having scored just one half century in his past 17 Test appearances.

Despite naming Marsh in the 12-man squad for the first two Commonwealth Bank Tests of the summer against the Proteas, the selectors opted to draft in 31-year-old Ferguson to the line-up to potentially bolster the middle-order.

Australia made three changes in total with Ferguson replacing Mitch Marsh, Mennie replacing Peter Siddle (back injury) and Joe Burns returning in place of Shaun Marsh (broken finger).

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The Proteas made one change with Kyle Abbott replacing injured paceman Dale Steyn.

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Mennie, born in New South Wales but who moved to Adelaide to pursue his cricket ambitions, was in the original squad and earned his call-up after Peter Siddle was ruled out with back soreness following the series opener in Perth.

It's the first time Australia has fielded two Test debutants since October 2014, ironically when Marsh made his debut alongside Steve O'Keefe against Pakistan in Dubai.

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And it's the first time two South Australia players have made their Test debuts in the same match since Blewett (currently the Australia team’s fielding coach) and leg spinner Peter McIntyre in the 1995 Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.

South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 after their 177-run victory at the WACA Ground with Australia needing to win in Hobart to retain any hope of securing the series.

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