By Jim Morton
October 7th 2008 @ 12:53am


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It’s all right with White, Shipperd spins shock choice

Victorian coach Greg Shipperd believes part-time spinner Cameron White is primed to make the critics eat their words if he makes an expected Test debut in India.

All-rounder White arrived in India today and is favoured to edge out Jason Krejza as Australia’s frontline slow bowler in the four-Test series, starting Thursday in Bangalore.

The leg-spinner received a belated call-up to replace injured Victorian teammate Bryce McGain in a shock selection which has drawn its share of detractors.

With off-spinner Krejza failing in his weekend audition in the tour match against the Indian board President’s XI, White is now expected to be named as Australia’s 402nd Test player.

The world No.1 outfit appears set to play a four-prong pace attack in Test cricket’s most challenging series with White, to possibly bat at No.8, and Michael Clarke giving some spin options.

Spin doctor Terry Jenner attacked the decision to punt on “medium-pace leggie” White ahead of chinaman bowler Beau Casson while former Test all-rounder Tom Moody said the option put an overwhelming burden on the shoulders of the pacemen.

“I was a bit puzzled by that selection given he’s a reluctant bowler at first-class level,” Moody told AAP today.

“It’s pretty obvious that the slow bowling department is going to be under a huge amount of pressure.

“Whether we like it or not, part-time bowlers are not going to do the job in a Test match.

“In a four-Test match series it’s a big ask for the pacemen to carry the burden of taking 20 wickets game in and game out.”

But Shipperd went into bat for his Bushrangers skipper, who only bowled 84 overs in nine Pura Cup games last season, taking just six wickets at 47.

The Victorian coach said White, who rips his leg-breaks quick and flat through the air, was forced to bowl himself less due to McGain’s fine form last season.

“That’s been an issue of team balance,” Shipperd said.

“Cameron as captain had a very strong bowling group to lead with and was in a position that he didn’t need to bowl.

“He’s played enough cricket now that he’s learned his lessons from the past.”

Shipperd felt the 25-year-old would also be confident of performing after his impressive efforts for Australia A in India last month, where he averaged 48 with the bat and took eight wickets in five games.

“He’s an accomplished cricketer now and tactically he’s an outstanding emerging leader and his batting is getting better and better and he’s a fantastic fieldsman, probably one of the best slippers in the country.

“And having just competed in India and done well he would be as relaxed as you can be for the challenges that a Test match against India in India would bring.”

McGain was seen as Australia’s best hope of filling the huge boots of Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill before he aggravated a shoulder injury on tour.

The 36-year-old has been told he’ll require five weeks on the sidelines which virtually rules him out of Australia’s two-Test home series against New Zealand, which starts at the Gabba on November 20.

The outlook for Australia’s states in the upcoming domestic cricket season
NSW BLUES
Last season: Shield - Champions, One-day - Last, Twenty20 - Fourth.
A host of rising talent will ensure the Blues once again start genuine contenders despite seven stars playing Test cricket.
Notable gains: Peter Nevill (Vic).

Losses: Aaron O’Brien (SA), Tom Cooper (SA), Craig Simmons (WA), Matthew Nicholson (retired).
VICTORIAN BUSHRANGERS
Last season: Shield - Runners-up, One-day - Runners-up, Twenty20 - Runners-up.
The most consistent team, Victoria have made seven of the nine domestic finals over the last three seasons and will start as the team to beat.
Notable gains: Chris Rogers (WA), Damien Wright (Tas).
Losses: Michael Klinger (SA), Allan Wise (SA), Gerard Denton (Tas), Peter Nevill (NSW), Mick Lewis (retired).

WEST AUSTRALIAN WARRIORS
Last season: Shield - Third, One-day - Fifth, Twenty20 - Champions.
Coach Tom Moody has whipped the Warriors quickly into shape and they boast a settled batting order which is the most intimidating in the competition.
Notable gains: Mitchell Johnson (Qld), Craig Simmons (NSW).
Losses: Chris Rogers (Vic), Adam Gilchrist (retired), Justin Langer (retired), Brad Hogg (retired), Darren Wates (retired), Mathew Inness (retired).

TASMANIAN TIGERS
Last season: Shield - Fourth, One-day - Champions, Twenty20 - Third.
Suffered an unexpected dip last season after their breakthrough Pura Cup success in 2006-07 but still remain a well-balanced, well-led line-up that can win anywhere.
Notable gains: Gerard Denton (Vic), John Rogers (ACT).
Losses: Damien Wright (Vic), Michael Di Venuto (retired).

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REDBACKS
Last season: Shield - Fifth, One-day - Third, Twenty20 - Last
Have recruited heavily in an attempt to end their long title drought. New-look team will be dangerous if Shaun Tait is fit and firing.
Notable gains: Younis Khan (Pakistan), Allan Wise (Vic), Michael Klinger (Vic), Aaron O’Brien (NSW), Tom Cooper (NSW).
Losses: Ryan Harris (Qld), Darren Lehmann (retired), Matthew Elliott (Indian Cricket League), Jason Gillespie (ICL).

QUEENSLAND BULLS
Last season: Shield - Last, One-day - Fourth, Twenty20 - Fifth.
The former heavyweights are hungry to make last year’s horror season a distant memory. Have started rebuilding phase but will be advantaged by Andrew Symonds’ Test omission.
Notable gains: Ryan Harris (SA).
Losses: Mitchell Johnson (WA), Michael Kasprowicz (ICL), Jimmy Maher (ICL).

Former Test cricketers, Geoff Lawson and Stuart MacGill, write exclusively for The Roar Mondays and Wednesdays respectively.

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© 2007 AAP

 

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