Hilf happy back in the mix

After almost two years on the outer, Ben Hilfenhaus is welcoming the opportunity to once again join the Australia Test set-up after he was called in to replace Shane Watson for the VB Tour of the UAE next month.

Watson succumbed to a calf problem just a week out from the squad’s planned departure for the Emirates, opening the door for Hilfenhaus to play his first Test since suffering a side injury against Sri Lanka at Bellerive Oval in December, 2012.

“I had a call from Rod Marsh yesterday telling me the exciting news,” Hilfenhaus told cricket.com.au ahead of Hobart Hurricanes’ second Oppo Champions League Twenty20 clash tonight.

“Obviously it’s disappointing for Watto not being available, but I’m very happy to get another chance at the next level.”

Hilfenhaus will join fellow pacemen Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc in the Test squad as Australia aims to regain the No.1 Test mantle in the two-match series against Pakistan.

The 31-year-old Tasmanian is currently in India with the Hurricanes squad as they chase CLT20 glory, and while the format may differ, the conditions should have Hilfenhaus ready to go if included in the Test XI next month.

“It’s probably a little bit similar to the Indian conditions (in the UAE),” Hilfenhaus said. “Any time you get an opportunity to play on these subcontinent wickets you make the most of them, so to get the chance before that tour is, hopefully, beneficial.

“Reverse swing is probably going to be a factor I would have thought and there’s probably not going to be a lot of pace in the wicket.

“They’re things that we’ve come across before and we just have to make sure we have good plans to accommodate those conditions.”

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After a series of relatively minor injuries have hindered his progress since his last match in the Baggy Green, Hilfenhaus is confident a pre-season spent working on his technique and body strength has him well placed to reclaim the form that saw him take 27 Test scalps from four matches in the 2011-12 summer against India.

While Mitchell Johnson bounced back spectacularly in the Commonwealth Bank Ashes series after a lengthy period on the fringe of the Test line-up, Hilfenhaus says that hasn’t been a factor in his motivation to get back to the top.

“I know that if I get back bowling to the way I was a couple of years ago then it’s hopefully going to be good enough to get another crack at that level,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate for the blokes that are currently injured, but it’s given me another opportunity.”

And with 99 Test wickets to his name, the opportunity to record a major milestone may also present itself in just a few weeks’ time.

“Yeah, someone has told about that before,” he said with a laugh.

“Nah, that’s not a motivation at all. For me it’s just about hopefully getting another opportunity and doing the best I can.”