Sri Lanka vs Australia 2011 : Meet The Shocking Aussie Replacements

Australia has named 3 uncapped bowlers in its Test squad for Sri Lanka omitting the failures from the Ashes series.

Trent Copeland, Nathan Lyon and James Pattinson have been thrust into Test Cricket by the selectors for the daunting tour of Sri Lanka. The three match series will begin on August 30 with Australia going in with only Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle as established Test match Bowlers.

Nathan Lyon has completed his incredible journey from being a groundsman to being named in the Australian squad for Sri Lanka

‘Surprise selection’ off-spinner Nathan Lyon was descrbed as “a young man with immense potential” by Andrew Hilditch, the Chairman of Selectors. Lyon has only played 4 first class games and averages 43 in the 4 day competition. He was named Man of the Series in the Tri- Series in Zimbabwe for Australia ‘A’ and was SA’s top wicket taker in the Big Bash last year. Incredibly Lyon was working as a groundsman last year in Adelaide and his selection completes his fairy-tale journey to the Australian team. Michael Beer, the other spinner in the squad has only 1 test to his name but has been selected ahead of Jason Krejza.

This is the latest development in the merry-go round of spinners in Australia under Hilditch. 7 spinners have been part of Australia’s test squad since Shane Warne‘s retirement and only one bowler (Hauritz) has taken 50 test wickets. Nathan Hauritz’s shoulder injury has prevented him from making a comeback but his place is seriously in doubt under the current selection panel.

Andrew Hilditch’s Random Predictor …

“We look forward to watching his development during the course of the tour,” Hilditch said describing Beau Casson in 2008 West Indies tour. Casson played only one match.

“We feel that Cameron’s right-arm leg spin and experience in Indian conditions … will provide a good balance to our slow bowling attack,” Hilditch said selecting Cameron White as spinner for India in 2008. White has since rarely bowled in International cricket.

“The national selection panel believes the left-arm orthodox variety Xavier Doherty provides against a predominantly right-handed English middle order is the better option,” - Hilditch said selecting Doherty following a 4 wicket haul vs Sri Lanka in an ODI. Doherty was axed after 3 Ashes tests and has only played ODI’s since.

“He is a young man with immense potential and we feel he will take this opportunity should he get the chance to play in Sri Lanka.”, Hilditch describing his latest pick Nathan Lyon.

Jason Krejza’s omission comes after awarding him a national contract, the only spinner to have been contracted. Steve Smith has also been ‘ditched’ after being deemed not good enough to play as an all-rounder.

James Pattinson and Trent Copeland have replaced Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger for the tour starting in August.

Shaun Marsh is set to battle Usman Khawaja for the No 6 spot

Trent Copeland of the Blues bowls during day two of the Sheffield Shield match between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Bulls

Trent Copeland was a grade cricketer in NSW a couple of years ago but since has made the NSW state team and taken 88 First class wickets. He played for Australia ‘A’ against Zimbabwe XI recently and has pipped Mitchell Starc to a test place.

“It has come a bit unexpectedly. A year ago, I hadn’t even played many Shield games.

James Pattinson made his ODI debut vs Bangladesh but has only played 8 First class games. He has been named in all three squads for Sri Lanka and seems to be groomed as the replacement for Brett Lee.

Australia Test Match Squad

1. Michael Clarke (C)
2. Shane Watson (VC)
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Brad Haddin (WK)
5. Mike Hussey
6. Phil Hughes
7. Shaun Marsh
8. Usman Khawaja
9. Michael Beer
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Mitchell Johnson
12. Peter Siddle
13. Ryan Harris
14. James Pattinson
15. Trent Copeland