Outsider Making Move On Australian Squad

Both Shane Watson and Stuart Clark put in strong performances by taking two wickets each at day two at Northampton. Both are looking likely to get call ups for the third of the 2009 Ashes tests at Edgbaston on Thursday. Mitchell Johnson once again failed to impress and is yet to take a wicket. Johnson was given a seven-over spell to prove himself and only managed to concede an expensive 42 runs. Whilst he was not quire as wayward as he was a week ago at Lord’s, he did not unduly trouble the Northampton batsmen.

The Aussie selectors must surely now be thinking of bringing on the possible replacements Watson and Clark.

Clark, bowling with the new ball for Australia, was particularly effective with figures of 2-26 from eight overs. The selectors would have been impressed with his control to extract sharp bounce from the wicket.

Watson had already made 84 with the bat on the first day, put in a good bowling performance as a timely reminder to that he is a true  all rounder.

There is still another day to go with plenty of time for those Australian cricketers on the fringes of the Ashes test squad to put down a marker and make it to the full team.