Ashes: Warne, Taylor baffled by Beer snub in Perth

PERTH - Test greats Shane Warne and Mark Taylor on Thursday disagreed with the selectors decision to pick four quick bowlers for the third Ashes Test in Perth, which left uncapped spin bowler Michael Beer as the 12th man.

“I can’t believe they’ve gone in without Michael Beer,” Taylor said on Channel Nine on day one.

“He added: The Aussies have missed a trick here by not picking Beer and giving themselves some options to take wickets on day three and four.”

Warne added via his twitter page: “Very, very surprised Australia playing five quicks and Smith… No Beer is a big surprise.

“Three quicks, Watson, Smith and Beer gives Ricky variety and plenty of options. Beer is a specialist spinner. You need one in Perth,” he added.

Beer’s omission means the unheralded spinner may never get his chance to don the baggy green.

But it could be argued he shouldn’t have got that close to a call-up in the first place.

Beer had played just five first-class games for Western Australia, hardly setting the world on fire as little more than an honest toiler.

The spinning duties in Perth will rest with batting all-rounder Steve Smith, while Michael Clarke may chip in some overs if his dodgy back allows.

This is not the first time Australia’s selectors have gambled on an all-out pace attack at the WACA Ground.

Against India in January 2008, Australia used the same tactic, recalling pace ace Shaun Tait at the expense of Brad Hogg.

It was a move that backfired badly, with Tait failing to take a wicket for the match as India secured a 72-run win in Perth.

On that occasion, Ponting believed there would be far more life in the pitch.(ANI)