Form worries, injury concerns and, erm, marketing considerations have contributed to an Australian squad of fully 17 players.

Forced by a promotional promise to name their Brisbane squad 10 days early, the selectors have totally fudged the issue by picking just about anybody they could think of.

Concerns ahead of Monday's announcement focused on the form of Michael Hussey and Marcus North. Is 'Mr Cricket's' average of 37 in his last 35 Tests sign of terminal decline, or an extended bad spell? Was Marcus North's Bangalore ton the start of a new era, or the dead cat bounce of a 31-year-old never-was? Was this the time to give Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson their turn? Well, it may or may not be - but the selectors have put the decision off for another week.

The decision not to back Hussey and North conclusively - by which I mean, naming a 12- or 13-man squad - puts the focus firmly on this next round of Sheffield Shield matches and the success or failure of the men in possession. Seems to me that the selectors have made a rod for their own back here. If Hussey and North fail for Western Australia this week and get the chop, then it will seem like they have been dropped for that, and that previous faith (and declarations thereof) was misplaced or meaningless. If they succeed, then that's great for them, but is that the right message to send to Usman and Ferguson - you were one old geezer getting a duck away from your cap, now just go back to doing what you have been doing, safe in the knowledge that domestic form isn't really that big a consideration for us anyway. Alternatively, Hussey and North will fail for their state, but still get in the Test team - in which case, why bother naming a 17-man army anyway? A classic lose, lose, lose scenario.

Needlessly backing themselves into a corner, being at once cowardly but also leaving themselves a hostage to fortune? It all sounds a bit... English.

Talking of the Poms, it has of course been traditional for the Ashes Down Under to begin with England frantically searching around for a fully fit bowling attack who are match-ready. Or even a half-fit one who'll give it a shot. Now it's Australia who are flapping: Doug Bollinger is back, but only in grade cricket so far, Peter Siddle is now fit but not bowling as well as he can, Ryan Harris has been impressive but is likewise not that long fit. The less said about Nathan Hauritz the better - but by naming Steve Smith and Xavier Doherty as well, what are the selectors trying to say? If Nathan is going to play in Brisbane, just name him and be done with it - and hopefully give the bloke a confidence boost.

Naming this huge squad does nothing for the self-belief of the under-pressure incumbents. And if the selectors do bring in a new man, then they look not bold, but like they've panicked at the last minute. The worst of both worlds.

Squad: (If you are an Australian cricketer and you have NOT been selected due to some oversight, please contact your local Cricket Australia rep) Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Mike Hussey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

Alan Tyers