Sydney, Oct 26 : Australia chairman of selectors John Inverarity, has backed a decision to not select promising young fast bowlers Josh Hazelwood and Jackson Bird for the Australia A clash against South Africa next month.

Victorian John Hastings and West Australian Nathan Coulter-Nile will share the new ball against the tourists at the SCG from November 2-4, in what will be their last hit-out before the first Test starting at the Gabba on November 9.

"John Hastings has made a splendid return from injury, as has (wicketkeeper) Tim Paine, and John will share the new ball with Nathan Coulter-Nile, who impressed with Australia A in England a few months ago, as did (opening batsman Liam) Davis," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Inverarity, as saying.

"They will be supported by the medium pace of McDonald and (Moises) Henriques," he added.

"Two bowlers who could well have been in that team were Jackson Bird and Josh Hazlewood. But we''d prefer to keep them up our sleeve at this stage," he said.

Inverarity added: "You can quite easily get some injuries. You can very easily have a couple go down so Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird are two very much on our radar. They''re two very tall and very good bowlers." (ANI)