Bollinger claims he was fully fit to play Perth Test

SYDNEY - New South Wales fats bowler Doug Bollinger has said he was fit and had fully recovered from a side strain that had ruled him out of the start of the domestic summer, and added that his fitness shouldn’t have been an issue going into the third Ashes Test in Perth.

Bollinger was recalled to the Test team in Adelaide, but omitted from the squad for the WACA after struggling to maintain full pace in Australia’s innings and 71-run defeat by England last week.

“I don’t think so. I got through a Perth Shield game bowling 20 overs in 36 degree heat. My pace dropped a bit in Adelaide but that’s the way it goes,” Bollinger told reporters in Sydney when asked about his fitness.

The 29-year-old said he was extremely disappointed not to be lining up in Perth on Thursday, especially as he had claimed eight wickets at the ground in last summer’s Test against the West Indies, The Age reports.

Bollinger refused to give up hope of earning a recall for the fourth and fifth Tests despite not being considered for the Perth Test.

“They (selectors) just thought my pace was down a bit and just wanted me to keep working on my fitness and just keep trying to do well,” he said.

“That’s all I can do, I’ve got four good bowlers in front of me now and I’ve been in this situation before and I’ve just got to go from there. I’m not going to kick the dirt, I’m just going to come back here and do well,” Bollinger added. (ANI)