Australia’s Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson denied Michael Clarke a hat-trick when the paceman edged his skipper in a tight vote to pick up a maiden Allan Border medal on Monday. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Australia dropped batsman George Bailey from the squad for their three-test tour of South Africa on Monday and brought uncapped Alex Doolan and Shaun Marsh into the 15-man party.
Bowling all-rounder James Faulkner, who was 12th man throughout the Ashes series, was also included in the party and is likely to contend with Doolan and Marsh for the number six spot in the batting order vacated by Bailey.
“We felt Alex and Shaun have games that are well suited to facing South Africa in South Africa,” said chief selector John Inverarity.
“We consider that both are strong players of pace bowling which is important.”
James Pattinson and Jackson Bird have been called up to reinforce the pace attack of Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle.
Johnson pips Clarke to Allan Border medal
Australia’s Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson denied Michael Clarke a hat-trick when the paceman edged his skipper in a tight vote to pick up a maiden Allan Border medal on Monday.
Johnson garnered 168 votes to cap a spectacular comeback by claiming his country’s most prestigious individual award.
“I just knew in my own heart that if I had that opportunity that I could make the most of it,” said Johnson.
Clarke, however, could not be denied Australia’s Test Player of the Year award, while George Bailey (One-Day Internationals) and Aaron Finch (Twenty20) won honours in the shorter formats.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2014.
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