Phil Hughes in line for another recall to Test squad for tour of South Africa

PHIL Hughes is in line for another Test resurrection as the bolter for the South African tour if the selectors favour substance over style.

Alex Doolan was the early favourite to change the "Unchangeables" for next month's three-Test series as Australia looks to bolster its top order batting against the most highly ranked pace attack in the world.

However growing concerns about Doolan's modest performances this season has left Hughes squarely in the frame to be part of the touring squad when it is announced on Monday.

The Sheffield Shield season started well for Doolan but he faded while Hughes exploded, scoring three centuries including a double hundred, giving the unorthodox left-hander 549 runs for South Australia at 61.

Doolan has 391 at 39 for Tasmania but made eight first class scores in a row below 50, including five below 20.

Whoever receives the nod today after a lengthy debate when the selectors hooked up last night, they will replace George Bailey in the line-up following a string of first innings failures during Australia's triumphant 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

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The plan is introduce another top order player at number three and move incumbent Shane Watson down to number six as the all-rounder in place of Bailey.

The Tasmania captain only kept his place because of Australia's desire to take an unchanged side through the 5-0 clean sweep.

Many players have been chopped on the back of far better performances than Bailey, most notably Brad Hodge, who was overlooked for the 2006 tour of South Africa despite an average of 58. He played just one more Test.

A 14 or 15-man squad will head to South African on January 29, with only the Twenty players in the Test squad remaining to complete three matches against England.