Australia pick everyone

It was revealing that only once during his press conference to announce Australia's Test squad on Monday did Rod Marsh seem stumped. When asked who was unlucky to miss out, he let out a deep sigh, had a think, and said: "I dunno, I reckon we've got most of them haven't we?"

He was right. Fifteen men for two Tests. This was the first Test squad picked by Australia's new selection panel of Marsh, Mark Waugh, Trevor Hohns and Darren Lehmann. It's a good group, with plenty of options. But they've barely had to make a decision yet.

So luxurious was the 15-man allocation that there was even room for a bloke who Marsh said hadn't earned his place. That man was Glenn Maxwell, the most fortunate member of the touring party and the only real surprise selection. Deciphering Marsh's comments on Monday was at times challenging, but never more so than when he spoke of Maxwell.

"He hasn't done enough to warrant selection". "He is the x-factor". "He has a very good record against Ajmal". "Technically I think he's a very fine batsman". "Technically I don't think he's a fine bowler". "He could play both Test matches". "He could play no Test matches".

What it boiled down to was that Maxwell was lucky to be picked, but could be a match-winner, but might not even play. There are times when selectors know their starting XI before the squad is even picked. This is not one of those times. Marsh himself will be the selector on duty against Pakistan in the UAE, and that's when things will get difficult. How many spinners, allrounders, fast bowlers, batsmen will actually make the XI?

There are some certainties, barring unforeseen injuries. David Warner and Chris Rogers will open. Steven Smith will be in there somewhere. So will Brad Haddin. Mitchell Johnson will lead the attack. Nathan Lyon should be a certainty, but will these selectors make the mistake of their predecessors, who dropped him in India for Maxwell and Xavier Doherty?

In the UAE, Steve O'Keefe is the left-arm spinner of choice. He thoroughly deserves his place in the squad, having been the Sheffield Shield's top spinner for two years. If he plays, it must be alongside Lyon, not in his place. But Marsh noted that Australia would be unlikely to play two offspinners together, so how does Maxwell fit in if not alongside O'Keefe?

And what of Mitchell Marsh? His first-class form for Australia A and one-day performances in Zimbabwe made him a natural selection, but how does he fit in? In place of Shane Watson? Alongside Watson? Rod Marsh said Watson was "in a good place" at the moment, and spoke highly of his credentials. He appears likely to play.

"You can fit more than one allrounder in a Test team, yes," Marsh said, "but whether it'll happen remains to be seen."

One possible scenario is for Marsh and Watson both to play in the top six, giving pace backup to Johnson and Peter Siddle, an important function in the very hot conditions expected. That would create room for both Lyon and O'Keefe. Or they could do the same with Maxwell instead of Marsh. Either way, it would mean dropping the incumbent No.3, Alex Doolan.

In that case Clarke, among others, could bat first drop in spinning conditions. But even Clarke's selection remains uncertain as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up in Zimbabwe. When asked if he was confident Clarke would be play in the first Test, Marsh was equivocal.

"No, you can't be confident about Michael," he said, "but I tell you what, he has only missed one in over 100 Tests he's played. He's got a great track record for getting up for Tests … No, I am sure he will be right, there is no more dedicated bloke in getting his rehab in than Michael."

And don't forget Phillip Hughes is there too. And Mitchell Starc. Any closer to working out what the starting XI will be? "We're not entirely sure of what we'll get," Marsh said of the pitch conditions in the UAE. "So what we've tried to do is cover all bases."

They've done that. And they've chosen a good squad, with no glaring omissions. Form has been rewarded and for that, Marsh and his colleagues are to be commended. But the true selection work has not even begun.