MELBOURNE: Xavier Doherty will be called into Australia’s squad for the third ODI against South Africa in Canberra, the spinner told reporters yesterday.
The 31-year-old Tasmanian played in two ODI matches of Australia’s 3-0 sweep of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates but was overlooked for the opening two games against South Africa in Perth, where the hosts have employed an all-pace attack for the WACA’s fast and bouncy wicket.
“Given it’s more of a spinners’ wicket, I think I’ll be some sort of chance and given that it’s an all-pace attack at the moment,” the one-day specialist told local media of Canberra’s Manuka Oval where the teams clash on Wednesday.
“I’ve got an opportunity to really nail my spot for the rest of this series and then, after that, who knows?”
Meanwhile, Australia’s chief of selectors Rod Marsh has backed captain Michael Clarke to recover from a hamstring strain and be fit for the first test against India next month.
Clarke was ruled out of the rest of Australia’s one-day international series with South Africa after re-aggravating the problematic left hamstring in the first match in Perth on Friday.
Clarke had scans on Saturday but needed to see specialists for a further prognosis.
Marsh said Clarke had been given a positive assessment initially.
“I’ll back Michael Clarke in there (for the first Test),” said Marsh during coverage of the second ODI against South Africa yesterday. AGENCIES
