Chappell calls for Clarke's Test return

Ian Chappell believes Australia must start thinking of the Ashes by reinstating Michael Clarke instead of Brad Hodge for the three-Test tour of South Africa. Chappell, writing in his column for Inside Cricket, said the selectors had to find a way for him to return after he was dropped for the third Test against West Indies in November.

"Clarke is one of the six best batsmen in Australia - ahead of Brad Hodge - and his skill and flair will be an important ingredient if the Ashes are to be regained," Chappell said. "Clarke is better equipped than Hodge to cope with the bounce and swing of a strong English attack and somehow the selectors have to have him back in the side before the first Test at the Gabba comes around."

The South Africa series and a two-match contest in Bangladesh in April are the only Tests Australia have before the Ashes starts at the Gabba on November 23. "Clarke is a player with a long-term future and also a potential Australian captain," Chappell said. "He has had a kick in the backside and now is the right time to bring him back into the touring party."

The magazine also looks long term with Shane Warne predicting the South Australia slow-bowling duo of Cullen Bailey and Dan Cullen will go on to great things. Cullen, the offspinner who is currently recovering from a broken finger, was named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal while Bailey, the legspinner, is his full-time replacement.

"If you can have an offspinner and a legspinner bowling together it always tests the batsman with different sorts of techniques, good variation," Warne said. "They are going to be hard work in South Australia, those guys, and, who knows, down the track they could form the Australian spin bowling combination."