Aus tour of SL 2011: Australia Test squad for Sri Lanka Series

Tags: Australia tour of Sri Lanka - 2011, Australia, Sri Lanka, Test squad

Published on: Jul 25, 2011

Australia will be hoping that the coming tour of Sri Lanka, the first since 2004, will provide the platform for a rise back to world No.1 Test status.

Australia will be hoping that the coming tour of Sri Lanka, the first since 2004, will provide the platform for a rise back to world No.1 Test status.

With Simon Katich being dumped from the Australia's contract list, this might give the opportunity to uncapped Shaun Marsh to get his career underway in the Tests.

Aussies dearth of spinners will surely be reinforced with Michael Beer expected to be chosen as Australia's leading slow bowler for the Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Beer, after being picked from nowhere for the final Test against England last summer, is likely to leapfrog contracted spinners Jason Krejza and Xavier Doherty, while Nathan Hauritz has just begun bowling again following shoulder surgery.

Fasr bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger are expected to join Katich on the casualty list after giving an ordinary performance last summer.

Beer is now considered as Australia's leading Test spinner and Marsh has been touted as a future Test player. The tour also provides a proving ground for Michael Clarke, who will lead Australia in three Tests and five ODIs after replacing Ricky Ponting as captain in March.

Australia Test Squad: Shane Watson, Phil Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (c), Mike Hussey, UsmanKhawaja, Shaun Marsh or Nathan Lyon, Brad Haddin, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Michael Beer.

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