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Fawad out of favour as Vics opt for Dutchy

Jon Holland’s rise to national selection puts him ahead of Fawad Ahmed in the Bushrangers’ pecking order

Victoria coach Andrew McDonald says the off-season rise of left-arm spinner Jon Holland is the reason for "unlucky" Fawad Ahmed's absence from his side’s Sheffield Shield opener against Tasmania.

The Bushrangers opted for Holland as their slow-bowling option for their day-night clash against the Tigers at the MCG, rounding out a strong bowling attack featuring quicks Peter Siddle, Scott Boland and Chris Tremain.

Fawad was Victoria's spinner of choice for much of the 2015-16 season, playing 11 matches to Holland's two, and has claimed 75 wickets across the last two Shield seasons.

But Holland's match-winning performance in the Shield decider, which saw the 29-year-old claim eight wickets, followed by his a surprise call-up to the Australia Test squad and a debut in Galle in August, has pushed him ahead of Fawad in the pecking order.

Jon Holland's first day in the Baggy Green


"It's a tough decision, it's always a tough decision leading into the first round when everyone is available," McDonald said on Monday.

"It might have been even tougher with (injured quick) James Pattinson available as well.

"Fawad was unlucky not to be included.

"But Holland played Tests in the off-season so he gets first crack at that position and we hope he can make it his own.

"Fawad will be there in the wings and we hope there will be competition for all spots."


Ex-skipper Cameron White, who led all scorers in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, has been included in the 12-man Victoria squad alongside former Western Australia batsman Marcus Harris.

Australia one-day opener Aaron Finch also features alongside fellow ODI squad members Matthew Wade, Boland and Tremain.

Paceman Siddle will be out to prove his fitness for next week's first Commonwealth Bank Test against South Africa, and McDonald believes the 31-year-old is primed for a recall.

"He's bowling with great pace and running in significantly faster than I've ever seen him run in so he's on top of the ground," McDonald said.

"I'm quietly confident that if he gets through this and performs in this game he'd be putting his hand up for selection."

Image Id: D4882D3665084328BDB8C692585073DE Image Caption: Peter Siddle displayed impressive form for Victoria during the Matador Cup // Getty


Siddle will have some bowling restrictions, as dictated by Cricket Australia, but McDonald didn't want to give away his plans on how he would use him.

"All I will say is there are some restrictions but I think there needs to be; it's common sense," he said.

"We will still have some flexibility with the restrictions and there will be enough overs for us to use him as a full head count."

Tasmania fast bowler Jackson Bird will also be pressing his case for Test selection at the MCG this week.

The right-armer filled the role of Australia's third seamer the last time Australia employed a trio of specialist speedsters, against New Zealand in February.

Bird played a key role in Australia’s second Test victory, returning 5-59 in the second innings and seven wickets for the match.

Victoria squad: Matthew Wade (c), Scott Boland, Travis Dean, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Jon Holland, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Tremain, Cameron White

Tasmania squad: George Bailey (c), Jackson Bird (vc), Cameron Boyce, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran (wk), Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Andrew Fekete, Caleb Jewell, Simon Milenko, Cameron Stevenson, Beau Webster.