Doug Bollinger's newfound place among Australian cricket's most valuable commodities has been underlined by his resting from the Pakistan series ahead of injury-plagued Peter Siddle.
While Bollinger joined star allrounder Shane Watson in flying home to Sydney for a break, selectors put Siddle on the plane for the final two
matches of the ODI series in Perth despite back trouble that kept him out of the third match at Adelaide Oval.
Siddle has battled numerous injury complaints across the summer, starting with side stiffness in India, and during that time Bollinger has enjoyed a dramatic rise from the fringes of the squad to a central role in both Tests and one-day matches.
"Doug's had a golden summer, he's really stepped up in international cricket and now he's having a break," said 'keeper Brad Haddin.
"We've known about Doug Bollinger for a long, long time, it's just happened to be we haven't been able to get him into the setup because we've had pretty good fast bowling.
"But he's got his opportunity this summer and he's been outstanding."
The shifting sands beneath Australia's pace battery were also confirmed by the second coming of Ryan Harris who, a year after playing once against South Africa in Hobart then succumbing to injury, looked every inch an international bowler while taking 5-43 in the series clincher against Pakistan in Adelaide on Tuesday night.
"He's quite deceptively quick, his first game he played for Australia (in Hobart) last year we got a bit of a shock at how quick he really was, and last night was no different," said Haddin.
"He's one of those bustling, skidding bowlers who are a bit deceptive with how fast they really are.
"So he deserves his five-for, he's worked hard to come back from injury, he's a good guy and deserves the success he got last night.
"It was great to see, especially in front of his home crowd."
At 30, Harris may finally be about to embark upon the sort of top level career his talent has always hinted at.
"There's no secret, I'm just trying to bowl as fast as I can," Harris said after claiming the man of the match award.
"I'm still not 100 per cent happy - I'm not swinging it as much as I like - but those are the thing I'll work out in the next few weeks.
"It's good to be able to come in to a group and they accept you as though you've been here for a while. It's pretty easy to make that transition."
Harris will have to fight for his spot in Perth against Clint McKay, Siddle (if fit) and the returning Mitchell Johnson, while James Hopes would appear the most likely man to fill-in for Watson as an opening batsman and mid-innings bowling option.
Captain Ricky Ponting, in need of runs at the WACA following a trio of skinny scores in the first three matches, said his limited overs side was finely tuned.
"We're playing good cricket, there's no doubt about that,' Ponting said.
"There's a really good feel around this group and the guys are just willing to try and keep challenging themselves all the time and willing to become better players all the time.
"When you've got that sort of attitude then the sky's the limit."
- AAP
Doug Bollinger's newfound place among Australian cricket's most valuable commodities has been underlined by his resting from the Pakistan series ahead of injury-plagued Peter Siddle.
While Bollinger joined star allrounder Shane Watson in flying home to Sydney for a break, selectors put Siddle on the plane for the final two
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.