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Beer, Simmons axed by Western Australia

Former Test spinner and Big Bash League power hitter not offered contracts for 2015-16 season

Former Test spinner Michael Beer is one of four players to have been axed by the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors for next season.

The Warriors announced on Monday that Beer, Ryan Duffield, John Rogers and Craig Simmons had not been offered new deals for the 2015-16 summer.

Beer, who played the last of his two Tests against the West Indies three years ago, didn't make a first-class appearance for the Warriors this season as youngster Ashton Agar handled the spin duties admirably, taking 31 wickets in nine Bupa Sheffield Shield matches.

The left-armer also made just one appearance in October's Matador One-Day Cup, but he was an important member of the Melbourne Stars' side in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, playing all nine matches.

The 30-year-old made his Test debut in the fifth Ashes Test against England in 2010-11 at the SCG, taking the wicket of Paul Collingwood, and opened the bowling on a dry surface against the Windies in Trinidad in 2010, taking 2-56.

Simmons, a powerful left-handed opening batsman, was not an initial member of the Warriors squad last season but was upgraded after playing seven matches in WA's successful Matador Cup campaign, including a top score of 98.

He too didn't make an appearance in Shield cricket, but was a constant in BBL|04 after he signed a three-year deal with Adelaide Strikers last year.

Left-arm quick Duffield, who played six matches for Brisbane Heat in BBL|04, made just one Shield appearance for the Warriors in 2014-15 while Rogers couldn't break into the senior side.

Western Australia will finalise their full list of contracted players for the 2015-16 season by the end of the month.