SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia included three uncapped bowlers in their 15-man squad named on Tuesday for three tests against Sri Lanka in an overhaul of the unit which was hammered by England in the Ashes debacle.
Spinner Nathan Lyon and quick Trent Copeland were surprise inclusions, while another paceman, James Pattinson, had been expected to be selected for the September tests after touring with the one-day team to Bangladesh earlier this year.
Off-spinner Lyon, who has played just a handful of first class matches, will be the 11th spinner to be used in a test match since Shane Warne retired in 2007 should he make his debut in Sri Lanka.
“Nathan may be a surprise selection, but he impressed all who have seen him in the last year and bowled beautifully (on the A team tour to Zimbabwe),” chief selector Andrew Hilditch said of the 24-year-old.
“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.”
