Australia pick Bollinger for first Test against West Indies

Australia pick Bollinger for first Test against West Indies
Nov 19, 2009 IANS

Melbourne, Nov 19 (IANS) Australia included left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger in the 12-man squad for the first Test against the West Indies at the Gabba, Brisbane, from Nov 26.

Bollinger replaced Stuart Clark and it was the only change the selectors made in the squad that played the last Ashes Test in England.

"The squad includes only one change from the side which played the last Test of the Ashes series in England. Doug Bollinger comes in for Stuart Clark. Stuart is extremely unlucky to miss selection but we have been very impressed with Doug's form in the recent ODI series in India and feel he deserves this opportunity in the Australian squad," said Andrew Hilditch, chairman of the National Selection Panel (NSP).

Hilditch said that the selectors have confidence in the squad that lost the Ashes.

"Losing the Ashes was obviously extremely disappointing but the nucleus of the side performed very well individually. We're confident this young side will continue to develop as we move into this exciting Test series at home but also continue to prepare for an Ashes series, which is now only 12 months away," he said.

The squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Peter Siddle and Shane Watson.