MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Australia have shaken up their underperforming bowling attack and sprung a surprise by picking untried spinner Michael Beer in a revamped 12-man squad for the third Ashes test against England in Perth next week.
Beer, who has taken just 16 first-class wickets at an average nudging 40 since making his debut two months ago, replaces fellow left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, dropped after being flayed by England’s bats in the second test in Adelaide.
England lead the five-match series 1-0 after beating the hosts by an innings and 71 runs in Adelaide.
“Michael Beer, I suppose, has come from nowhere but he’s had a good start to the domestic season, someone we were very interested in before the season started with,” chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
“We had some really good feedback from our talent management system and people in WA (Western Australia).
“He’s got a few wickets against the Poms, he’s a talented left-arm orthodox spinner and hopefully someone who can play a big role in our future.”
Beer, nicknamed “Frosty” by team mates, was floated as a possible pick this week by retired legspinner Shane Warne, who said the unheralded 26-year-old’s local knowledge of Perth’s WACA ground might be an asset despite only five first-class appearances to his name.
Beer will join retained pacemen Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris in the attack, but Doug Bollinger was dropped after struggling for fitness in the Adelaide heat.
Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, both of whom were dropped following poor performances in the first test in Brisbane, will vie for the last vacant bowling spot, underlining the paucity of Australia’s back-up bowling options.
Johnson, whose pace and swing is deadly on its day but horribly wayward when off-key, has spent the week in the nets with Australia’s specialist bowling coaches as they frantically try to help the 29-year-old find his form.
“Both Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus did not play in Adelaide but will be strongly considered for selection in the Perth test match where conditions will suit them,” said Hilditch.
All-rounder Steven Smith also replaces out-of-form number six Marcus North, who was widely expected to be dropped after failing again at Adelaide.
Phillip Hughes has replaced injured opening batsman Simon Katich and will face a big psychological test at Perth after he was bullied out of the side by England’s quicks during Australia’s losing Ashes series last year.
Hilditch conceded the hosts had disappointed in the series to date and said the raft of changes were aimed at jump-starting the stuttering team.
“We’re not playing well, we’ve been totally outplayed in all facets of the game so far, so we’ve got a lot to improve in all areas, but that’s the great challenge.
“We thought we needed to make changes to try to change the momentum of the series, really.”
Team:
Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Michael Beer, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Phillip Hughes, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.
