Cricket: Australia hit by injury crisis before first test

Australian opener Shane Watson has ruled himself out of the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane next week. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Australia have been rocked by the news five players will be unavailable for next week's first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane due to injury.

Shane Watson (hamstring), Shaun Marsh (back), Mitchell Johnson (foot), Pat Cummins (heel) and Ryan Harris (hip) were all confirmed as non-starters on Friday for next week's Test at the Gabba.

The news means Australia's five-man selection panel will have to look at several new faces before announcing their squad for the Test on Saturday.

NSW left-hander David Warner is almost certain to make his Test debut in place of Watson.

Fast bowlers Trent Copeland, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Starc and Ben Cutting are also in the mix.

Warner, Pattinson, Hilfenhaus, Starc and Cutting are all in action against the Kiwis for Australia A in Brisbane while Copeland is playing for NSW in their Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the SCG.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris gave an update all on all five injured players, saying every one will undergo further monitoring next week to determine the possibility of them returning in time for the second Test against New Zealand in Hobart.

"Ryan Harris is recovering from the pelvis injury that kept him out of the second Test against South Africa," Kountouris said.

"A decision on his return to training will be made early next week and will determine his return to playing.

"Shane Watson has not fully recovered from a hamstring strain sustained in the second Test against South Africa earlier this week. He is making good progress and will be reviewed next week to determine his availability.

"Shaun Marsh has made significant progress from the back injury sustained in South Africa. He has not returned to training as yet and will continue to have intensive treatment. We are hopeful that he will return to training sometime next week and possibly be available for selection for the second Test.

"(Johnson's) return to training and playing will be clearer in coming days after he is assessed by a foot specialist in Perth and the swelling has had a chance to resolve.

"Pat Cummins experienced left heel pain towards the end of the second innings in his debut Test match ... he will be reviewed early next week to determine his workload plan for the summer."

The Gabba Test begins on Thursday.

- AAP