All-rounder James Faulkner is the latest to cash in, with the 24-year-old to stay on in the United Arab Emirates following the conclusion of the one day series as cover for Marsh, who is battling a left hamstring injury.

Faulkner’s sole Test appearance came at The Oval last year during the Ashes series, taking six wickets and contributing 45 runs, and he was part of XII for the home success against England. But his knee injury kept him out of the tour of South Africa that followed.

If Marsh can not regain fitness [he has started jogging and batting in the nets], the former Launceston all-rounder’s chances of playing his second Test seem high, with Australia keen to play an all-rounder in the UAE to accommodate a dual spin attack, which is likely to be made up of Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe, in the two-match series.

He joins fellow NTCA graduate Alex Doolan and Ulverstone’s Ben Hilfenhaus in the Australian squad, after Hilfenhaus was earlier a late call-up for the injured Shane Watson.

The opening Test match is on October 22 in Dubai, with the four-day match against Pakistan A taking place in Sharjah from Wednesday.

Faulkner has played both ODIs so far on tour, making 11 and taking 0-20 from two overs with his left-arm mediums in game one and he hit the winning runs in his unbeaten innings of 26 from 37 balls with a four over mid-off yesterday’s triumph, which followed his haul of 1-27 from seven overs.

He combined with wicket-keeper Brad Haddin in an unbeaten partnership of 39 to see his country home.

Marsh’s hamstring issues opened the door for Tigers teammate Xavier Doherty to return to international cricket. 

The left-arm orthodox spinner from George Town played his first game for his country since Australia Day yesterday, taking 1-44 from his 10 overs. His wicket, that of opener Ahmed Shehzad, caught at midwicket by Steve Smith for 61, broke Pakistan’s opening stand of 126.

Stand-in Australian captain George Bailey was run-out for 28 [following his 18 from 24 balls in game one] as Glenn Maxwell [76 from 81] again saw Australia home as it chased down Pakistan’s total of 215. The final match of the one day international series will be played tonight in Abu Dhabi.

Australia Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Alex Doolan, James Faulkner (standby player), Brad Haddin, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O’Keefe, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.