Shock Aussie pick Beer has played only five first-class matches

A downpour at the Gabba meant England had scant chance to check out Australia's surprise third Test selection Michael Beer.

The left-arm spinner bowled only two overs, each conceding a single run, for Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland before rain ended play prematurely on day two in Brisbane. Full story: Sydney Morning Herald

Former Aussie leg-spinner Stuart MacGill says he is "gobsmacked" by Beer's selection for the Perth Test, believing the 26-year-old to be "wholly unqualified".
Read more: Daily Mail

The man who Beer has replaced, Xavier Doherty, thinks there is a hint of panic to the Aussie selectors' third Test choices. "I'm sure the selectors aren't quite sure who the next person is," Doherty said. Full story: Fox Sports

Beer's Western Australia coach Mickey Arthur, though, has hailed the rookie's "fantastic temperament". "He's got that little bit about him that will make him fire," he added.
Full story: The Guardian

England batsman Ian Bell believes there's a lot more respect for English cricket in Australia than in previous series down under. Bell also revealed the tourists have refrained from socialising with their hosts. "In previous series, we've had a few drinks with the Australians after the Tests, but we haven't done that at all this time."
Full story: Daily Star

One of England's 2005 series winners, Steve Harmison, says he would select Ajmal Shahzad ahead of Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan as a replacement for the injured Stuart Broad. "The WACA ground is a lot like [Yorkshire's home ground] Headingley, because you bowl a lot shorter," said Harmison explaining his preference for the Yorkshire seamer.
Read more: Talksport

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes this series will be Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting's last, though he does not expect the under-fire veteran to be sacked by Cricket Australia.
Full story: The West Australian

Shane Warne's former Australian team-mate Dean Jones is convinced the former Test great, 41, would come out of retirement to play for his country if offered the captaincy.
Read more: Sydney Telegraph

England's Kevin Pietersen has again been warned to be careful when posting on social media site Twitter. Coach Andy Flower was unhappy with Pietersen's critical tweets of Adelaide Oval groundstaff before the start of the second Test.
Read more: Daily Express

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version