Cricket: Selectors slammed for wearing Beer-goggles

Michael Beer. Photo / Getty Images

Shock Ashes call-up Michael Beer is simply unqualified to play in the third Ashes test this week, according to former test spinner Stuart MacGill.

Despite having played just five first-class matches, left-arm spinner Beer was included in the 12-strong squad for the Perth test as Australia overhauled their squad in the wake of an innings and 71-run defeat to England in Adelaide.

"I am gobsmacked, shocked, I honestly cannot believe it," MacGill told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. "The team will have to change again after the next test," he added. "Good on Michael Beer, good bloke and good player, but look at this as a job interview and show me his qualifications to get this job.

"He doesn't have any. Sending him out there next week, what are they trying to do?"

MacGill's test cricket opportunities were severely limited by playing at the same time as Shane Warne - but he did manage 208 wickets in 44 tests from 1998 to 2008.

The leg-spinner said the selectors were reeling from one bad decision to another having replaced Nathan Hauritz, who has 63 wickets from 17 tests, with ineffective debutant Xavier Doherty for the first two tests.

"Xavier Doherty was out there, too, to be honest," MacGill said. "They are clearly telling Nathan Hauritz, 'you are never playing test cricket again'. I don't understand that. Xavier Doherty should never have played the first two tests. Michael Beer shouldn't be playing this one."

The fact Beer has taken only 16 first-class wickets at an average of just under 40 since he moved from Victoria to Western Australia indicated that chief selector Andrew Hilditch was out of touch, MacGill said.

Beer is Australia's biggest bolter since Peter Taylor, the off-spinner, who bowled Australia to victory in Sydney in 1986-87 having played only six first-class matches.

"I was a little bit surprised and I don't think it really sank in until I rang my parents and actually blurted it out myself and thought hang on, what's going on here?"' Beer said. "Twelve months ago I probably wasn't a professional cricketer, that's in all facets, and then WA gave me the opportunity under Mickey Arthur and they've been really great and backed me and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

"The move to Perth has been brilliant for me. It definitely created a lot of opportunities and I've really enjoyed playing with the Warriors. I love it and the deck's good."

A tall left-armer, Beer has impressed Arthur, his state coach, with his competitiveness, despite having not taken more than three wickets in an innings at state level.

"He has a way to go, but in a year's time he will be sensational," Arthur said. "He will handle anything international cricket can throw at him."

The challenge for Beer is to ensure that in a year's time - or in a month's time - he has not become yet another in Australia's long list of discarded spinners. If he debuts at the WACA, he will be the 10th slow bowler Australia have used in tests since the retirement of Shane Warne. The No 9, the newly-axed Doherty, believes the selectors are panicking.

"There is probably a little bit of panic there, but it is only a short series," Doherty told the Mercury.

"In an ideal world, I would have liked a few more chances. But I'm sure if I get another chance, I can certainly make an impact."