Even shock selection Michael Beer could not believe Australia had taken one of the all-time gambles and picked him for the third Ashes Test in Perth.
Last summer Beer, 26, was playing grade cricket – on Friday the unheralded left-arm spinner was digesting the news that he had earned a baggy green after only five first-class games.
“I was a little bit surprised and I don’t think it really sank in until I rang my parents and actually blurted it out myself and thought hang on, what’s going on here?'” Beer said in Brisbane.
Beer, Phil Hughes and allrounder Steve Smith replaced the axed trio of Marcus North, Doug Bollinger and Xavier Doherty for the Perth Test starting on Thursday.
While Hughes and Smith had been in the mix, Beer’s inclusion is the biggest stunner since Peter “Who” Taylor was given a baggy green cap against England in 1986-97.
Beer only made his first-class debut two months ago after leaving Melbourne club St Kilda and heading west to Perth in a bid to break into the state scene.
“Twelve months ago I probably wasn’t a professional cricketer, that’s in all facets,” Beer said.
“Then Western Australia gave me the opportunity under (coach) Mickey Arthur and they’ve been really great and backed me.”
Australia’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch did not think Beer’s selection smacked of desperation.
“The reality is, he’s got no international experience and it’s a big call from us to throw him into this position,” he said.
“Michael Beer has, I suppose, come from nowhere.
“(But) we think a left-arm orthodox spinner is the right thing both for the Ashes but also for our future.”
Beer’s first-class average is a modest 16 wickets at an average of 39.93.
He was tipped this week by Shane Warne, a former St Kilda teammate.
“I just laughed it off a bit but it’s nice when someone of his calibre throws your hat in the ring,” Beer said.
“I think I played four games with him (at St Kilda), basically when he was just playing Test cricket and came back for a few weeks.
“I got dropped for him a couple of times as well so that was interesting.
“(And) I was lucky enough to go to the Centre of Excellence in April and May and he was up there for that – he’s been good.”
Hughes replaced injured opening bat Simon Katich in another punt by selectors facing the prospect of a series defeat with another loss in Perth.
The NSW left-hander, with just 201 Sheffield Shield runs this season at an average of 22.33, will enter the Test with his most recent scores being four and a duck in the Shield game which ended on Friday.
“All I know is I’ll have a smile on my face (come Thursday), any cricket I’m going to play I’m going to enjoy it – I’m over the moon to be back amongst the guys,” Hughes said.
Smith will take Marcus North’s spot at No.6 in the batting order, with one of the four-strong fast bowling brigade – Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus – to carry the drinks.
“It’s great to be spoken about but I guess it’s putting your performances on the board,” Smith said.
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