Reliable spinner Michael Beer will tomorrow make his return to the Western Warriors Sheffield Shield side as WA faces a crucial clash against the Tasmanian Tigers at the WACA Ground.
WA picks up its Shield campaign where it left off, having ended the first block with a victory over the Tigers at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
The win lifted the side to third on the competition table, with Tasmania fifth.
A shoulder injury 15 months ago had Beer replaced in the WA squad by Ashton Agar, whose development had him wrest control of the frontline spinner position.
However, with Agar unavailable for selection, Beer gets another opportunity to make his mark. Agar received a Code of Behaviour charge in the Futures League match against Queensland a fortnight ago that resulted in a suspension.
“It’s amazing how life turns out,” Warriors’ coach Justin Langer said on Beer’s return. “Ashton Agar got an incredible opportunity at the expense of Michael Beer last year with his injury.
“Opportunity is a wonderful thing that I keep talking about and it’s the first time I’ve seen Beery smile for 15 months.
“Let’s hope he keeps smiling and relaxing and has a good game.
“If you look around Australia, it’s really hard and it’s like a wicketkeeper; there’s only one spin bowler (in a playing XI),” Langer added. “If you look around Australia, every state’s got two or three spinners, really.
“We’re thrilled to have them both here, they’re both a very important part of our squad and they’ve both committed to WA cricket for the long term.”
The change is one of four for the state side, as players return from – and depart on – international duties.
Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile returns from his time with the Australian limited overs side, having played a standout role with seven wickets across the whitewash Twenty20 series against England, with figures of 4-31, 1-29 and 2-21 in the three matches.
Batsman Marcus North also returns after missing the most recent Shield game due to personal reasons.
Young opener Marcus Harris rounds out the inclusions and enters the side in strong form, with two centuries in the past two months at First Grade level and two half-centuries in the recent Futures League game against Queensland.
Simon Mackin and Luke Towers make way, while Shaun Marsh was unavailable due to his selection for the Test side in South Africa.
Western Australia v Tasmania: Adam Voges ©, Cameron Bancroft, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ryan Duffield, Marcus Harris, Michael Hogan, Mitch Marsh, Marcus North, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman.
James Buttler
As the editor of Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author and a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications.
He's unsurprisingly a complete cricket badger!
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