Australia Announce VB Squad

Uncapped Western Australian seamer Brett Dorey has been called up into the home side’s squad for the forthcoming VB Series, which starts next week. There are also recalls for Damien Martyn, the scapegoat from the Ashes tour, and all-rounder James Hopes.

Dorey, 28, comes in for Mick Lewis, who disappointed in the recent Chappell-Hadlee Series held in New Zealand. After representing Western Australia Under-19 in 1997, he travelled around Europe on a backpacking trip, and ended up working as a bodyguard in Russia. On his return to Australia in 2004, he pushed himself into recognition for the Western Australia state side. Despite claiming 49 wickets at an average of 23 in eleven first-class matches, Dorey has only played ten one-day matches, claiming eleven wickets, albeit with an economy rate of 3.75.

Martyn returns to the team following a finger injury, replacing Bard Hodge, while hard-hitting all-rounder Hopes replaces Cameron White, the Victoria leg-spinner. Glenn McGrath returns to the team after being rested for the Chappell-Hadlee series. Australia Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns commented that the home side wanted to explore all their options in the build-up to next years World Cup, and that there may be opportunities for the ‘fringe’ players during the upcoming series which also involves South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Australia Squad
Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist (w), Simon Katich, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Brett Dorey, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark.