By IANS,
Melbourne : As hinted by skipper Ricky Ponting, Beau Casson will be Australia’s 401st Test cricketer. The left-arm spinner has been named in the XI for the third Test against the West Indies starting Thursday.
Casson was the only change from the side which drew the second Test, replacing the retired Stuart MacGill for the Test at Kensington Oval.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has also been included in the team despite struggling with a broken right ring finger.
“Beau’s been named in the eleven. It’s exciting for him,” captain Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying in The Australian.
“He’s fitted in extremely well (with the squad)… he’s worked hard and now he’s got an opportunity to play in a Test which is great.”
Casson, 25, will be just the 20th left-arm wrist spinner to play Test cricket when he debuts.
His selection caps a rapid rise for the young New South Wales spinner in the past nine months, after he earned a Cricket Australia contract and then a spot on his first senior international tour on the back of collecting 29 Pura Cup wickets at 35.13 last summer – his first season since overcoming shoulder surgery.
Australia lead the three-Test series 1-0.
Team: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Phil Jaques, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Beau Casson, Stuart Clark.