Cricket: Injuries put pressure on Aussie selection

Captain Michael Clarke must come together quickly with new coach Mickey Arthur as Australia's test cricket team faces several selection issues going into next week's first test with New Zealand.

Just seven days before the start of the Gabba clash, Clarke and Arthur will need to establish a working relationship, only days into the South African's role as Australia's coach, with four players in doubt for the match due to injury.

Opener Shane Watson (hamstring) and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson (foot) are both in serious doubt for the clash with the Black Caps while Shaun Marsh (back) and Ryan Harris (hip) are also battling to be fit.

It means Clarke and Arthur, unveiled as coach by Cricket Australia on Tuesday, will need to work together to decide just who will take the field when they pick the team with fellow selectors John Inverarity, Rod Marsh and Andy Bichel.

Clarke arrived home from the two-test tour in South Africa on Wednesday and said he was eager to work with Arthur.

"Mickey has done a fantastic job in the past with South Africa and I'm really excited and looking forward to working with him," the captain said.

"I've only spoken to him a handful of times, either playing against him when he was coaching South Africa or over the phone since he's taken over at WA."

Clarke had a phone hook-up with fellow selectors yesterday to discuss the likely line-up for the Brisbane test, with under-fire veterans Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin set to retain their spots after second-innings half-centuries in Australia's two-wicket victory in Johannesburg earlier this week.

The 30-year-old said he didn't know how his team for the clash with the Kiwis would turn out.

"Obviously, Shaun Marsh and Ryan Harris are [already] back home so I'm waiting to hear on how they're both going," he said.

"Mitchell is certainly in doubt for the first test ... Watto would have to be, there'd have to be some doubt there.

"There's going to be some changes come the first test because of injuries."

Clarke said he had no issue with Arthur winning the coaching role ahead of his pick for the job, current fielding mentor and former test wicketkeeper Steve Rixon.

He said he was hopeful Rixon and fellow assistants Justin Langer and Craig McDermott would remain part of the coaching staff.

"You've got some pretty smart cricket minds there working together and I can only see us having some more success [with them]," he said.

"If Stumps [Rixon] is the right man for the job, I'm pretty sure Mickey will be more than supportive to keep him around as well as Justin Langer and Craig McDermott."

- AAP