Canberra, Dec 15: Australian pacer Doug Bollinger, looking to return to Australia’s Test squad, hopes to catch the eye of the selectors by plying his skills in next week's Chairman's XI match against the touring Indians.
Returning from a hamstring injury, the left-arm pacer is keen to play in the first Test between the two countries on December 26 at the MCG.
“I had never spoken to him [John Inverarity, Cricket Australia’s chairman of selectors] before and he was asking me about playing this Chairman’s XI next week,” Bollinger was quoted as saying by 2KY.
“I said 'yes' straightaway; anything I can do to get back into the Test squad or the Test team and that’s kind of what I think he wanted,” the 30-year-old added.
“[…] Hopefully I bowl there next week and [I’ll] hopefully be playing the Boxing Day Test, I’d love to.”
Bollinger, who made his Test debut in 2009, has played 12 Tests for Australia and taken 50 wickets, said dealing with speculation over his fitness and subsequent axing from the squad was difficult.
“To be honest, I came straight back from injury and it’s hard when you’re bowling 40 overs a game,” he said.
“I probably was a bit underdone but I think […] nobody wants to say anything to your face; they say it behind your back and you can’t get rid of that.
“[…] I just took it on [with] a grain of salt and do what I had to do and I’m better for it now.
“I’ve been making sure I have done everything properly to get my hammy right. I’ve been bowling for the past three weeks,” Bollinger said.
After watching the national side struggle against New Zealand in the second Test, Bollinger believes some of the younger players now have a great opportunity to make their mark for Australia.
With Mitchell Johnson out for the summer with a toe injury, left-armer Mitchell Starc, who has played only two Tests, is likely to make way for his more experienced New South Wales teammate.
"I feel sorry for Mitch [Starc] but I feel like I can grab the chance now and get back and try and get some Indian wickets under my belt,” he said.
Having previously experienced the roar of a bustling December 26 crowd, Bollinger is aching to make his return to first-class cricket at the MCG.
“I’ve had the privilege of playing the first day of the Boxing Day Test and it's unreal,” Bollinger said.
“Especially with the Indians coming out with the team they’ve got - it would be unreal.
“Let’s see how I go, hopefully I bowl well on Saturday and we’ll take it from there.”
