Published: Aug 02, 2016, 04:43 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 02, 2016, 05:42 PM (IST)
An expired passport, replaced in a hurried 24 hours before flying to Sri Lanka, says a lot about how much Jon Holland has thought about playing for Australia in a Test match lately. Holland has replaced left-arm orthodox bowler Steve O’Keefe who suffered an unfamiliar twinge of a hamstring strain in his right leg as he chased a ball to the boundary on the third day of the opening Test in Kandy, which Australia went on to lose by 106 runs. Jon Holland received a call from national selector Rod Marsh about his selection while he was busy preparing for Australia A to face South Africa A. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test at Galle
Holland had initially received a call about his national selection back in 2009, when he was selected for Australian ODI squad to make his international debut in Mumbai before monsoonal rain washed out that fixture without a ball bowled. Holland will be associating Nathan Lyon in the second test in a three-match series out of which Australia has lost the series opener which Sri Lanka won by 106 runs at Pallekele.
According to cricket.com.au, Holland was quoted saying, “But I really enjoy playing cricket for Victoria, they’ve stuck with me through three shoulder injuries and supported me and given me the chance to play cricket. I have to thank them. It’s here now, it’s all a bit surreal still and I will just have to wait and see if I do get the chance to play.”
Jon Holland’s selection in the national squad was due to his performance in domestic cricket wherein he played only two Sheffield Shield games last season, including an eight-wicket haul in Victoria’s win over South Australia in the final.
It is also quite certain that Holland will get a place in the starting XI in the second test along with Nathan Lyon as the Sri Lanka’s Test top-order is saturated with right-handed batsmen. Australia can also use Holland as an attacking bowler along Nathan Lyon with owing to the success Rangana Herath had received in the first test match where the veteran spinner claimed nine wickets.
