Australia has called up fast bowler Brett Geeves as a cover for injured Peter Siddle, for the third Test against West Indies starting on Wednesday in Perth.
Selectors had said that they expected Siddle to overcome his hamstring injury to play, but called on Tasmania's Geeves as a standby player along with Clint McKay, as Siddle continued his quest to prove his fitness.
“While the expectation is that Peter Siddle will be fit to take his place in the side, in order to ensure there is sufficient cover, a decision has been made to have Brett Geeves available as a standby player in Perth,” AAP quoted Andrew Hilditch, Australian chairman of selectors, as saying.
“Brett gets his opportunity on the back of his recent strong performances in Sheffield Shield cricket and because the national selection panel feels he will be well suited to the conditions at the WACA Ground should an opportunity present itself,” he added.
Hilditch also said that both players would be released for state duties if Siddle is available for the Test match.
Geeves has played twice for Australia in one-day internationals, taking three wickets at an average of 26. He also played for Australia in a Twenty20 international.
In 34 first-class matches since his Sheffield Shield debut in 2004, he has taken 134 wickets at an average of 33.41, with a best of 6/47. This season Geeves has taken 15 wickets at 27.66 for the Tigers in four Shield matches.
