Michael Clarke makes Australia's Ashes opener squad as Doug Bollinger left out
Australian batsman Michael Clarke, whose availability for the Gabba Test was in major doubt till Tuesday finally has his name in the Playing XIs of the Ashes' opener starting in Brisbane tomorrow while the left-arm pacer Doug Bollinger was left dejected
as the lack of game has cost him his spot in the much awaited Gabba clash. The inclusion of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 and exclusion of Bollinger was confirmed on Wednesday by the Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting as he announced his team for the opening Ashes Test.
The 29-year-old Clarke, who made his debut in 2004, has been suffering from a recurrence of back disc problem that has bothered him all through his career. The back injury aggravated two weeks ago when the Australian vice-captain was playing
a Sheffield Shield match for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-South-Wales-c823. The injury made him miss the opening training session with his side on Monday, thus raising questions about his participation in the first Ashes Test.
Although, the Australian team physio as well as some former cricketers were doubtful about Clarke making the Thursday’s game, the player himself was sure to be part of the squad that would enter Gabba on 25th of November. He returned
to training on Tuesday and also had a successful net session at the 1st Test venue on Wednesday morning, pressing his claim and was duly rewarded.
Besides Bollinger, the Pakistan-born http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729, who was called up as a cover for Clarke, was also released from the squad.
"We have got a team, Doug Bollinger and Usman Khawaja are the two who are not playing," said Ponting in a news conference on the eve of Ashes' opener. "Michael Clarke got through his work particularly well in the last few days, had a long
solid session in the nets today so he's come through pretty well and Dougie's the unlucky quick who misses out."
Bollinger, who suffered an abdominal strain during the first Test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 last month, has claimed 47 scalps at a bowling average of 22.02 in his last 10 Tests. "Lack of bowling [for Bollinger] over the last few weeks has been
as much to do with it as anything," Ricky Ponting said as he announced his side.
In the absence of Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson - who has claimed the maximum 55 wickets for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 over the past 12 months– will spearhead the pace attack for Aussies. Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus will complement him in pace bowling while uncapped Xavier
Doherty will be the only specialist spinner for Australia.
Tags: