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Doug the Rug gets Test call-up
by The Bunyip November 20, 2009

The left-arm previously bald Doug Bollinger has been included in Australia's squad for the first Test at the Gabba, with selectors choosing him over his New South Wales colleague Stuart Clark.

Bollinger is unlikely to play in the Test, as it's likely Australia will persist with an attack consisting of both the player of the year and the emerging player of the year, plus the leading wicket taker in the Ashes, Ben Hilfenhaus.

It's also likely Nathan Hauritz will retain his spot in the XI, meaning Doug the Rug is likely to spend the match ferrying Gatorade to and from the middle.

It does show a rejigging of the Aussie pace pecking order though, with the more experienced Clark now on the outer - and with Brett Lee sidelined, perhaps retired, due to injury.

The inclusion of Dougie is the only change from the squad that was beaten at The Oval. Mike Hussey's too-little-too-late century appears to have been enough for him to retain his place, though he'll need to score plenty of runs to be safe.

The good news for Mr Cricket is that even Queensland can score runs against the West Indies attack: the Bulls amassed 7 for 617, with three players scoring tons, as the Windies spent their first match of the tour doing plenty of leather chasing.

Selection head honcho Andrew Hilditch refused to say that the Bollinger inclusion over Clark means curtains for Sarfraz, but the future does not look good for the 34-year-old.

"We have very much an eye on the Ashes and if our assessment at the time is that Stuart is the best bowler for the Ashes and he's still going well, then so be it," Hilditch said. "At the moment we're preferring this bowling group."

Hilditch and co opted to retain Shane Watson at the top of the batting order - resisting calls to pick a specialist opener such as Phil Hughes or Jaques.

Full story

Comments

bullcrap stuart clark should of been picked
centurien November 20, 2009
Why should Stuart Clark get picked? The other 4 are much better bowlers than him now.
Plus I'm not too fond of his 120 k's he seems to be bowling now.
Langdon04 November 20, 2009
Stuart Clark was a very good bowler but he is 34 now and we should be picking younger bowlers. I would like to see Bollinger in the 11 with 4 quick bowlers, I'm not a very big fan of Hauritz and I beileve you always pick your 4 best bowlers. Hussey use to be my favourite player but his test form isn't good and he is 34. Brad Hodge is playing very nice cricket and should replace him. Hughes should of never been dropped and should come in for North. Watson will bat at 6.

My Team-

1. Phillip Hughes.
2. Simon Katich.
3. Ricky Ponting.
4. Michael Clarke.
5. Brad Hodge.
6. Shane Watson.
7. Brad Haddin.
8. Mitchell Johnson.
9. Peter Siddle.
10. Doug Bollinger.
11. Ben Hilfenhaus.
SiddleRocks November 21, 2009
1.phil hughes
2.simon katich
3.ricky ponting
4.mike hussey
5.micheal.clarke
6.marcus north
7.shane watson
8.brad haddin
9.mitchell johnson
10.nathan haritiz
11.ben hilfenhaus
matt2win November 21, 2009
Every good Bowling line up must have a certain ammount of experience. Australia's experienced bowlers may be getting old.. but they are the ones that will help solidify the new bowlers skills and confidence. Phillip Hughes isn't needed as an Australian Opener untill he learns how to pull a ball, Some he seems incapable of doing at the present time. Marcus North should be a definite, his brilliant batting, great feilding and usefull spin is something the Australian Selectors should recognize and use... And as for Mike Husseys not so brilliant performance, all batsmen go through rough patches of batting.. it happens to us all, so don't be quick to write him off just yet.
Australia-4-life November 21, 2009
MY team:
1)Hughes
2)Katich
3)Ponting
4)Hussey
5)Clarke
6)Watson
7)Haddin
8)Johnson
9)Krejza
10)Siddle
11)Hilfenhaus

12)North
13)Bollinger
eljosho12 November 21, 2009
Nice to see Krejza in a line up. I feel he was hard done by and believes he deserves another test call up. As for Bollinger, meh.
Blighty69 November 21, 2009
I think it was a bad decision.
They should have left Stuart Clark in the squad.
Marsman359 November 21, 2009
If you look at Stuar Clarks record he should be playing....but Stuart is 34 sooo its a real tricky one...

1.Shaun Marsh
2.Simon Katich
3.Ricky Ponting
4.Micheal Clark
5.Mike Hussey
6.Watson
7.Tim Paine
8.Johnson
9.Nathan Huiritz
10.Peter Sidlle
11.Ben Hilfenhaus

12. Bollinger
13.Cameron White
13.Marcus North

I think bollinger should be given a shot to play....and i think marsh is a good player and its about time white should be given a shot

(this is assuming brett lee cant play)
Alexander007 November 21, 2009

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Tags
australia, callup, cricket, doug, doug bollinger, rug, test