Shipperd slams Australia's early test selection decision

There are several issues to resolve for the selectors following England's resounding win in Adelaide and Shipperd believes several of his Bushrangers stars should have been given more time to impress when they take on the tourists in a three-day tour match.

Cameron White and David Hussey are both likely to come into consideration for the Perth Test, which starts on December 16, although their chances appear to have been hindered by the squad being named just one day into the Melbourne match.

Shipperd said: "It's ridiculous because most key players will not have a chance to press their immediate claims.

"I don't understand it because Cameron White, David Hussey, (John) Hastings, (Clint) McKay and Matthew Wade would be five players who have a realistic chance of being selected in the series.

"There's been a lot of focus on the No 6 spot and Hussey, White and (Callum) Ferguson have claims for that.

"If it was an all-rounder's spot (Andrew) McDonald would be a shoo-in but (Steve) Smith also comes into that category, and if they're looking for a replacement for (Simon) Katich then (Phil) Hughes and (Usman) Khawaja are probably the two lead candidates there."

Shipperd said it is time for change in the Australia side and that White and Hussey are in good form and "ready to go".

"Against New South Wales, full-strength, David Hussey scored a blistering hundred and Cameron White, all he could do was score a hundred against England down in Tasmania," said Shipper.

"Hussey, like the incumbent No 6 bowls some off-spin and Cameron White offers a leadership for the future option, so there's some good reasons why you would consider them strongly."

The timing of the squad announcement means Hussey may get precious little opportunity to further press his claims for a first Test cap, at the age of 33, to go with his 49 appearances for his country in the limited-overs formats.

One man certain of a place in Perth is paceman Ryan Harris after he was declared fit.

The 31-year-old Queensland quick was a doubt for the game after appearing to injure his shoulder while bowling in Australia's second Test defeat.

But the Australia camp announced a scan had cleared the quick of any serious damage and stated he was able to bowl unrestricted.