Swepson, Bird vying for Bangladesh call up

Australia selectors had deliberately kept away from naming the 14th member of the Test squad for the Bangladesh tour. They were hoping to add another player to the squad after Australia A’s tour of South Africa.

However, they were robbed of auditioning quicks Jackson Bird, Jason Behrendorff, Chris Tremain and Chadd Sayers due to the boycott of the South Africa series by the cricketers.

Bird, who was also involved in the India tour, is the most likely player to make up the 14-man squad for Bangladesh Tour - but selectors are seriously tossing up leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, who also went to India without playing a Test, Fox Sports reported yesterday.

Earlier, talk was only about adding another fast bowler to the squad – as replacement for injured Mitchell Starc. However, selector Greg Chapell said: “You’ve got Swepson (too); it (the selection) doesn’t have to be a fast-bowler necessarily.”

Fox Sports also revealed that Bird was impressive in the nets in India and is a player who deserves the faith of selectors. But, selectors are still tempted by Swepson, who has the backing of spin-legend Shane Warne.

Swepson’s presence in the nets could help the Australia batsmen in terms of getting re-acquainted with the spinning ball. The young spinner, who like Ashton Agar has a patchy first class record, would benefit from the being around the national side.