Jackson Bird and Usman Khawaja called up for Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka – Cricket News Update – Part I
Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP), on Tuesday named a 13-man squad for the second Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day.
Uncapped Tasmanian fast bowler Jackson Bird could make his Test debut when Australia take on Sri Lanka next Wednesday, after having replaced injured pacer Ben Hilfenhaus in the 13-man squad announced today.
Hilfenhaus had picked up a side strain injury during http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Pattinson-c1653 on the sidelines, who are all nursing their respective foot, back and rib injuries. He is also a doubtful starter for the New Year’s Test in Sydney, starting only three days after the end of the Melbourne game.
Hilfenhaus' reinforcement, the 26-year-old Bird burst on to the first-class scene last summer, topping the Sheffield Shield wickets chart with 53 scalps at an average of 16 in his debut season.
He has enjoyed a productive first-class season this summer as well. With 27 scalps from six matches at an impressive average of almost 20, the right-arm Tasmanian medium-pacer is again on the top of the Shield wicket list. The tally also includes his career best haul of six for 25 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Western-Australia-c865 last month. His fine form has also put him in good stead in the ongoing Big Bash Premier League, where he is playing for the Melbourne Stars.
Commenting on the squad, national selector John Inverarity said that Tasmanian pacer Jackson http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bird-c48123 has been awarded with a national call up on the basis of his impressive first class record.
"http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robert-John-Inverarity-c85980.
"Jackson's outstanding first-class figures of 87 wickets at 19.72 from 17 matches have been rewarded with his inclusion in the squad. He is a tall athletic opening bowler who bowls a consistent line and length and keeps running in all day," he went on to add.
Australia’s Boxing Day Test Squad http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822.
Continued in Part II...
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