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Cricket Australia has announced a new look 15-man Test squad for Australia’s upcoming Tour of Sri Lanka, with Steven Smith the key player overlooked, and contracted spinners Jason Krejza and Xavier Doherty missing out to Michael Beer and Nathan Lyon.
Trent Copeland also picked up a place in the squad on his first class form, but questions must be asked as to why he did not receive a Cricket Australia contract ahead of Patrick Cummins, who was not selected.
Fast bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger also miss out, while it appears Phillip Hughes will be Simon Katich’s successor after the veteran was controversially axed by Cricket Australia.
The National Selected Panel (NSP), headed by Andrew Hilditch, announced the following team:
Michael Clarke (c)
Shane Watson (vc)
Michael Beer
Trent Copeland
Brad Haddin
Ryan Harris
Phillip Hughes
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Usman Khawaja
Nathan Lyon
Shaun Marsh
James Pattinson
Ricky Ponting
Peter Siddle
NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: “The National Selection Panel today announced the Australian squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka.
“It is obviously a very important time for Australian cricket as we strive to get back to the top of world rankings in Test cricket, but at the same time is a very exciting opportunity for this squad as it takes on Sri Lanka on its home soil.
“We believe the squad has a really good blend of experience and young talented players who we are sure are ready for the challenges ahead.
“Phillip Hughes and Shane Watson will again open the batting in what we hope will become a very successful opening partnership for Australia.
“Phillip richly deserves this opportunity with his Sheffield Shield performances and of course has already proved he can succeed at international level.
“Shaun Marsh comes into the Australian Test squad and has been in our minds for some time as a player who could have a real impact at international level in all forms of the game.
“Ryan Harris has recovered well from injury and deserves to come back after bowling so well during the Ashes series.
“We have also added two exciting young fast bowlers in Victoria’s James Pattinson and New South Wales’ Trent Copeland.
“Trent has earned his position with some fine performances for New South Wales and has bowled very well on the Australia A tour.
“James is a young fast bowler with the potential to play an important role for Australia in all three forms of the game and we look forward to watching his further development during this tour.
“Michael Beer retains his position in the squad following his debut in Sydney during the fifth Ashes Test where he bowled well, without much luck.
“It will be an important tour for Michael on grounds where we expect spin to play a major role.
“The squads also sees the inclusion of Nathan Lyon, a talented young spinner who impressed all last season and bowled extremely well on Australia A’s tour of Zimbabwe.
“Nathan may be a surprise selection, but he impressed all who have seen him in the last year and bowled beautifully during the one-day component of the A squad’s recent tour where he was named player of the series.
“He is a young man with immense potential and we feel he will take this opportunity should he get the chance to play in Sri Lanka.
“Steven Smith is unlucky to have missed selection in this squad.
“We continue to see him as player of the future for Australia in all forms of the game but at this stage we do not feel he has cemented his position as a batsman in the top six or as a leg-spin bowler.
“We feel he needs to continue to develop as a genuine all-rounder in the shorter forms of the game and play more long-form cricket for New South Wales to push again for Test selection.
“Ben Hilfenhaus did not have as good an Ashes series as he would have liked and we feel he needs to get back to his best, swinging the ball late and hitting the bat hard.
“We are sure he will do this and he will be very much in contention for selection on the upcoming tour to South Africa.
“Doug Bollinger has been left out of the Test squad. The NSP feels he needs to improve his ability to bowl spells at full intensity and maintain it over the course of a match, particularly in these days of back-to-back Tests.
“The intention of the NSP was to take Jason Krejza to Sri Lanka provided he proved he was bowling at his best.
“He has had very limited opportunities in Sheffield Shield cricket so the Zimbabwe tour was very important for him.
“Unfortunately Jason did not bowl as well as we, or I am sure he, would have liked during this tour and therefore he has not been rewarded with selection.
“Since the immense disappointment of the Ashes series, the coaching staff and playing group have worked tirelessly to prepare for the challenge ahead.
“There is a quiet confidence about the group and we are sure this squad will do all in its power to get the Australian Test team back to where it needs to be in world cricket.”