The announcement of a staggering 17 names in Australia's squad for the first Test against England at Brisbane next Thursday has done Cricket Australia few favours.

Why announce such a large squad whilst simultaneously declaring its contingency on form and fitness ahead of a round of Shield fixtures and an Australia A trial against the tourists? Would waiting a few days have been difficult? Why give such a public indication of selectoral indecision?

If the National Selection Panel seriously needs one more look at international-class players less than two weeks out from the most hyped home series since, well, the last Ashes, what does that indicate about the confidence in the squad or the long-term process of selection?

Extending the squad to cover injuries is a legitimate call but not if we keep getting told that Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and Doug Bollinger are fit. By publicly indicating support for the likes of Ferguson and Khawaja, despite neither having a realistic chance of making the side for either Brisbane or Adelaide, Cricket Australia has made a rod for its own back.

The cricketing public has a growing appetite for renewal. Flirting with the prospect of rejuvenating an ageing squad has whetted this appetite further and the predictable XI that will surely compete at the Gabba will disappoint fans ready to back the next generation.

If the expected XI fails in Brisbane the backlash will be severe. The naming of such an extended list sends out an odd message to those unselected for the rest of the summer.

If you're Philip Hughes or A Team captain Cameron White, is it a sign you are not even in the frame or is it reassurance that everyone has a chance?

And if you're centrally contracted Andrew McDonald, not included in the seventeen or the A squad, despite scoring dual centuries against NSW at the SCG last week, is it time to do a Hodge and look after the body and the bank balance? Or move to NSW?

Of the two benefits I can identify from the announcement, one needn't have been made public. By broadcasting that Ferguson, Khawaja and Doherty are on the NSP's radar they have effectively put Hussey, North and Hauritz on notice. Could this not have been done more subtly in-house? By making such a bold statement it leaves the NSP no wiggle-room if any of the incumbent trio perform badly in Queensland.

The second benefit, which I think is an adroit move of the NSP, is the selection of Xavier Doherty in the squad, even if he is an outsider for the XI.

Kevin Pietersen, England's bell-weather and most destructive batsman struggles against left-arm spin. He is entering this series approaching something like his early-career confidence, if not yet form, and introducing the possibility of a sneaky left-arm tweaker will play on the minds of the star batsman and the English coaches. Expect plenty of impromptu Pietersen net sessions with Monty Panesar and a barrage of ECB statements that their cavalier is unfazed by the prospect of playing a left arm spinner.

By seriously raising the prospect of Doherty replacing Hauritz, Cricket Australia has thrown a curveball into the England camp, for which it should be applauded. When cricket's oldest and longest-running battle recommences at 10am next Thursday, England will employ a settled XI after enjoying a thorough acclimatisation in Australian conditions.

Less than two weeks out, their hosts still have to narrow down a long-list and endure a convoluted audition process before their line-up is clear.