Ed Cowan and Shaun Marsh are set for Boxing Day call-ups today at the expense of the unlucky Usman Khawaja and the out-of-sorts Phil Hughes.
And Ben Hilfenhaus is shaping as a fast bowling bolter in an extended 13-man squad that is not expected to include
Ryan Harris or Shane Watson, both of whom are returning from injury.
The news comes as
Australia coach Mickey Arthur says nobody, including veterans
Ricky Ponting and
Mike Hussey, are guaranteed a baggy green.
Cowan appears to have forced his way into the Australia squad for the series opener after plundering 578 runs at 64.22 in first class cricket this season. His brilliant form continued in
Tuesday's Chairman's XI game at Manuka Oval, scoring 109 against India.
Marsh, meanwhile, has made a stunning recovery from a back injury to catch the eye of selectors yesterday during a two-hour batting session at
Australia's batting camp in Melbourne.
He is expected to play for the Perth Scorchers in the
Big Bash League match against the Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium on Thursday in what is shaping as a Boxing Day fitness test.
Khawaja looks set to be the unfortunate casualty of Cowan's excellent form and Marsh's recuperative powers.
He managed just 7 and 23 in the Hobart Test against New Zealand, but is regarded as a player of the future and could consider himself unlucky to be demoted at a time when Ponting and Hussey are struggling for runs, something that Arthur seemed to acknowledge.
"Nobody has a guaranteed start, nobody has a privilege to play in the Australian cricket team," Arthur said.
"They have to be producing the goods and giving us the ammunition to play but they are the type of characters we want in our side definitely."
"I have backed Ricky and Mike Hussey for a period of time, I think for a young batter to bat with guys like that is fantastic but then again they need to keep giving us ammunition, keep giving us performances," Arthur said.
"Ricky is vital to where we want to take this team so we are hoping he finds his form and hopefully it is just around the corner."
Arthur admitted he loved the convenience of an all-rounder like Proteas star Jacques Kallis but one that could command a top six slot.
While stopping short of endorsing
Dan Christian, Arthur said his 475 Shield runs at 60 and 10 wickets this season for South Australia suggested he belonged at the elite level,
"He has an unbelievable record this year, stats will tell you he could be in our top six batters but the fitness of our other players will also possibly determine that down the line," he said.
Arthur said he would prefer to be decisive and name a 12-man squad today but was probably not in a position to do that.
Watson and Harris are unlikely to be selected in the Boxing Day squad as they continue their recoveries from injury. Watson did not participate in a net session at yesterday's batting camp and was instead confined to an exercise bike. Officials remain hopeful he will be available for the Sydney Test.
Harris is also considered a fitness risk for the Boxing Day Test but remains a chance to play at the SCG in the New Year's Test.
Hilfenhaus is looming as the surprise selection in the Australian squad, and could be bracketed alongside Mitchell Starc for the final slot in Australia's pace rotation.
The paceman has taken 22 wickets at 30.90 in first-class cricket this season, and has impressed with his ability to swing the ball and bowl long spells.
