Hyderabad, Oct 4 : With Jason Krejza failing to convince that he has it in him to trouble the Indian batsmen in the forthcoming Test series, Australia today decided to rush in Victorian all-rounder Cameron White as replacement for injured spinner Bryce McGain.
Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch, currently with the team here for its four-day tour match against Board President's XI, said White would provide a good balance to the side in the Test series against India.
"Bryce McGain's long-term unavailability due to a shoulder injury gives his fellow Victorian right-arm leg-spinner Cameron White an opportunity to join the Australian Test squad in India," Hilditch said.
"We feel that Cameron's right-arm leg spin and experience in Indian conditions, where he has just returned after captaining the Australia A one-day team to a tournament victory, is the correct option and will provide a good balance to our slow bowling attack.
"Cameron's bowling has continued to improve over the past year at interstate level and his powerful batting adds extra depth and versatility to the squad," he added.
Interestingly, the team think-tank had initially enough faith in rookie off-spinner Jason Krejza and decided not to rush in a substitute immediately after McGain was ruled out.
Krejza, however, failed to convince, going wicketless and taking quite a battering in the first innings of the ongoing warm-up match, which prompted the selectors to draft in White. Krejza's 20 overs went for 123 runs and the offie did not meet success in the first innings. Though coach Tim Nielsen sought to defend him, Indian leggie Piyush Chawla hinted the youngster would have a tough time in the Test series against India.
Hilditch meanwhile said White's call-up was the just reward for his consistence performance throughout the year.
"Cameron has performed well in Australian colours since his return to the one-day international squad earlier this year and he has now been rewarded with inclusion in the Test squad," he said.
White will meet the Australian squad in Bangalore on Monday ahead of the first Test starting on Thursday.
McGain had injured his shoulder in India last month when he was part of the touring Australia A side. Though he believes he was recovering well, he pulled up sore at the practice session, prompting the team management to send him home.(Agencies)
Oct 04, 2008
* Do not use semicolon(;)