The Australian Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka had surprises galore, something that has become a norm these days. The 15-man side saw the selectors drop Steven Smith, Ben Hilfenhaus and not pick Nathan Hauritz, while getting in Michael Beer, Trent Copeland and a new-comer off-spinner in Nathan Lyon.
Australia Select Copeland, Lyon As New-Comers For Sri Lanka Tests
As had been expected, Simon Katich was given the axe from the playing eleven despite being one of the best batsmen for the side in recent times, and Phillip Hughes got another chance in the side. He will open the innings with vice-captain Shane Watson.
Smith’s dismissal from the team has been particularly surprising given that the impression that the selectors had been creating all throughout was that he was a youngster that they backed. However, his performances in the side as either a batsman or a bowler did not impress the selectors too much and he was relegated to the sidelines.
Jason Krejza also does not get a go, something that was explained by the chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch: The intention of the national selection panel was to take Jason Krejza to Sri Lanka provided he proved he was bowling at his best," Hilditch said. "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.
Essentially, Krejza was the team’s first choice spinner but poor performances in another series with the Australia A team pulled his chances down.
The batting order is more or less set, with Hughes and Watson to be followed by Ricky Ponting, captain Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey. The competition for the sixth position will be between Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh, a surprise choice given that he has usually been in and out of the 50-overs side.
Australia play Sri Lanka in three Tests apart from five ODIs and a T20I.
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