Hilfenhaus on track to be fit for The Ashes

 

Roar Rookie

By Stevie G, 26 May 2010 Stevie G is a Roar Rookie

Tagged:

 Alex Kountouris, Australia A cricket, Australian Cricket, Ben Hilfenhaus, International Cricket, The Ashes

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Ben Hilfenhaus last played for Australia back in November, with a man of the match performance against the West Indies at the Gabba.

Since then, he has struggled to get over a knee tendonitis issue, but the Australia A series against Sri Lanka A provides him with a chance to push for Test selection against Pakistan in England in the lead up to the Ashes.

Hilfenhaus was Australia’s leading wicket taker in last year’s Ashes, and if fit, would be a big chance to play against England at the Gabba later in the year.

Hilfenhaus’ natural outswing from the right hander makes him the perfect foil to Mitchell Johnson’s inswing to the right handers. England would be nervous to see his progress back from injury.

The selectors are yet to name the Test squad against Pakistan, giving Hilfenhaus, among others, the chance to prove their form and fitness in a four-day game against Sri Lanka A.

Hilfenhaus was overlooked for the One Day and Twenty20 tour of England, along with the One Dayers against Sri Lanka A, which shows that the selectors see him as a bowler in the longer format.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Hilfenhaus would take his place in the A side provided that he continued to respond well to the increase in his workload at the centre of excellence in Brisbane.

Hilfenhaus’ opening partner in the Ashes, Peter Siddle, was not considered for any of the squads as he still recovers from back stress fractures.

Kountouris said “it was felt that there was too big a risk for his return for the tour of England and Ireland, particularly with the important 12 months coming up.”

Australia plays their first game of the English summer against Ireland in Dublin on June 17.

Australia A’s first four-day game against Sir Lanka A starts on June 18 at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, with the second game being played in Townsville starting on June 25.

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