The phone hasn’t stopped ringing for shock Test selection Michael Beer. But the unheralded spinner admits he hasn’t heard yet from the man who set his “whirlwind” week into motion – Shane Warne.
A still shellshocked Beer flew out of Brisbane on Sunday ready to introduce himself to his new Australian teammates in Perth ahead of the third Ashes Test starting on Thursday.
He was pulled out of Western Australia’s rain-affected Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland after bowling just two overs.
The flight home to WA at least offered some respite from the well wishers who have kept his mobile phone running hot since Australian selectors took one of the all-time gambles.
But there has been no contact from Warne, who last week made the seemingly left field suggestion that his former St Kilda clubmate Beer should be considered for the Perth Test after just five first class games.
“I haven’t heard from Shane,” Beer told Perth radio station 91.3 Sport FM on Sunday.
“The word was he was in England but he is on the (television) commentary team so he is back for Perth but I haven’t heard from him at all.”
But his phone has been kept busy – Beer said there had been plenty of mates and “extended family members” who had come out of the woodwork requesting Perth Test tickets.
“There is family and a lot of good mates coming over, so I am just looking forward to the week really,” Beer said.
“The last couple of days have been a bit of a whirlwind but I am getting through it.
“I am looking forward to getting to Perth, meeting the guys and starting the match preparation.”
Beer was still shaking his head in disbelief as he recalled the moment he got the selection news during a break in WA’s Shield clash at the Gabba.
“It’s funny, I had finished lunch… and (WA coach) Mickey Arthur and (Australian selector) Jamie Cox were walking towards me…and they both had big smiles on their faces, and they told me the news,” he said.
“Mickey said go out the back and call whoever I needed to call – to be honest it felt weird telling family about that.
“From there it is slowing sinking in and still doing it now.
“To be honest the thought (of Test selection) never entered my head.
“That’s why it came as a bit of a surprise when I got told.”
Beer said he looked forward to a “meet and greet” with Australian teammates in Perth on Sunday night.
Beer admitted he only really knew Peter Siddle, Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson in the Australian team.
“I definitely think playing a couple of games with him (Hussey) is going to help me (settle in)…I am looking forward to it,” he said.
Rain ensured Beer was restricted to just two overs in his final hit-out before his Test debut – not that he was complaining.
“Personally I didn’t think I was going to get much of a bowl because of the conditions up here suiting the pace bowlers,” Beer said.
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