Test hopefuls get chance
06 December, 2010
It will be the game within a game that will arouse most interest as a host of Test hopefuls go at it over four days when NSW host South Australia in an intriguing Sheffield Shield encounter, starting Tuesday at the SCG.
Nine players seven from the Blues and two Redbacks have either been in the Test set-up or are knocking on the door as Australia's Ashes pain continues.
Quicks Mark Cameron (NSW), Trent Copeland (NSW) and Peter George (SA) will all be under scrutiny while Blues spinners Nathan Hauritz, Stephen O'Keefe and Steve Smith enjoy support in certain quarters and will be out to press their claims.
And with Australia's batting line-up either struggling for form or injured or both the likes of Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja and South Australia's Callum Ferguson must cash in with runs in Sydney before the third Test team is announced.
Copeland, who raced to 50 wickets after just eight first class games, is trying his best to keep Australian selection out of mind but feels he can do a job at the next level.
"First and foremost I want to play for NSW and do well there and if other stuff comes about then great," he said.
"(Good) performances for NSW bodes well for (national) selection."
"I haven't put a time limit on it, like (it's got to be) this summer or anything, but everyone wants to play for Australia."
"If I'm given the opportunity, I feel like I'm bowling well."
The 195cm Copeland has been compared to Glenn McGrath, both physically and for his line and length approach to bowling.
Asked what he would bring to the Australian attack if selected, the Blues quick responded: "I can use my height and hit the right spots, try and do a bit with the ball both ways and out-last the batsman."
"I try not to do anything too extravagant; it's just about keeping it simple and creating pressure."
Copeland's immediate concern is making sure he lands a spot in the in-form NSW XI.
Competition is extremely hot after a successful start to the season, which has the Blues out in front on the Shield table.
South Australia arrive in Sydney on the back of consecutive wins in the four-day and limited overs arena against Tasmania.
The Redbacks somehow conjured up a stunning outright win over the Tigers after being rolled for just 55 in the first innings of the Shield game.
They followed it up with a win in the Ryobi Cup, thanks largely to a Ferguson century.
The Shield win lifted SA off the bottom of the table and into fourth, eight points behind leaders NSW.
"It was a fantastic fight back and shows the spirit we have in our group," skipper Michael Klinger said.
"Going forward from here, we are confident we can keep building from that."
We talked about going into the Christmas break in the mix in all competitions and we're in a position to do that."
