Rising South Australian all-rounder Dan Christian will attempt to show that he is the last piece in the jigsaw in Australia's bid to lift the World Twenty20 trophy for the first time.
Rising South Australian all-rounder Dan Christian will attempt to show that he is the last piece in the jigsaw in Australia's bid to lift the World Twenty20 trophy for the first time.
Christian's explosive displays for South Australia at T20, limited overs and first-class levels this summer have earned him a chance to press his case for the Caribbean tournament in the two T20 matches to be played at home against West Indies, reports Fox Sports.
Australia will also play two T20 fixtures on their forthcoming tour of New Zealand.
Christian has the chance to be the extra all-rounder, feels Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of the National Selection Panel (NSP).
"The core of the squad has already in our own mind been picked for the World Cup, but we're taking the opportunity to look at other alternatives. Dan gives us allround batting and bowling potential and he's a very good fieldsman, so he fits the category of someone who can do all three aspects of the game very well. It's just up to him now to seize his opportunity, which I'm sure he will,” Fox Sports quoted Hilditch, as saying.
"I think within the squad of 15, we've always been planning to add an all-rounder and Dan's getting the opportunity to make it his own," he added.
Since moving from NSW to SA in November 2007, Christian has grown in stature as both a cricketer and a leader, and a most recent double of 71 and 5-24 to help the Redbacks win a tight Sheffield Shield encounter against WA in Perth underlined his value.
In a sign of the way the game is moving, Christian had little hesitation naming T20 as his favourite brand of cricket, ahead of the other more established but less frenetic formats.
"I don't know if (T20) is suited more to me but I certainly enjoy it - it's probably my favourite form of the game," Christian said.
Hilditch and his panel have stocked the Australian T20 side with specialists, ranging from opening bat Dave Warner and left-arm quick Dirk Nannes to left-handed Tasmanian slugger Travis Birt.
The first match will be played at Hobart on Sunday before the second in Sydney on Tuesday.
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