http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 announce squad for Sydney Test
Cricket Australia have announced the squad for the final Test match of the Ashes series. The selectors enforced two changes in the squad in a bid to level the Ashes series in the fifth Test in Sydney.
Michael Clarke, the vice-captain of Australia, will be leading the squad for the first time in a Test match as he will be taking over the reins from Ricky Ponting. Australia’s distressed captain was ruled out of the last Test match due to a broken finger.
Clarke will be Australia’s 43rd Test captain after being the deputy since 2008. Clarke takes the job at a time when the side has suffered their second consecutive Ashes loss to England. The 29-year-old batsman himself is in a severe batting rut.
Even though there are critics who are sceptical of Clarke’s ability to lead the side, yet the decision was approved unanimously by Cricket Australia board on Thursday.
Clarke will be assisted by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin who takes the job as a vice captain for the first time. Clarke and Haddin will be seeking for a win in order to draw the series. England have already won the Ashes after 24 years on Australian soil.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 will be leading the 12-man squad that includes New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja. Khawaja, leading scorer of Sheffield Shield’s 2010-11 season, will finally make his Test debut on Monday. The Pakistan-born batsman had a good run in this year’s
domestic season scoring 598 runs at an average of 75.76 for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-South-Wales-c823.
His teammate Doug Bollinger will also be making an appearance in the Test match as he replaced pacer Ryan Harris. Harris suffered a stress ankle fracture on the second day of the Melbourne Test and is set to undergo a surgery.
Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of the selectors’ panel said that Cricket Australia and the players are obviously disappointed about the injuries and the fact that they failed to win back the urn.
Hilditch said in a statement, “With Ricky being unavailable for this match we are sure that both Michael and Brad will lead this Australian side with great professionalism and the full support of the team as we strive for a victory.”
The chief selector was also happy of the fact that Khawaja is all set to make his debut saying that, “We are excited given his tremendous form at domestic level over the past two seasons.”
He also announced that Clarke would be leading One-Day and Twenty20 series against England which are scheduled to begin from 12 January 2011. Victoria’s Cameron White will be acting as Clarke’s deputy in the limited overs matches.
Australia squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Beer-c1949.
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