Bollinger backed for a successful return

SYDNEY - Australian left-arm quick Doug Bollinger has been backed to make a successful return to Test cricket in the fifth and final Ashes Test against England starting Monday.

Dumped after a tired display in Australia’s big loss to England in Adelaide, Bollinger has been called back into the Test squad in place of injured Ryan Harris for the Ashes finale.

Bollinger’s New South Wales coach Matthew Mott said he earned his recall by responding positively to his axing.

“It’s great they’ve shown faith in him,” Mott was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.

“He was told all along that all he had to do was get some overs under his belt and prove his fitness and if an opportunity came up he’d be the one there.

“If he wasn’t disappointed you’d be worried. He channelled that really well, he spoke to a few people he trusted, they told him what he needed to do,” said Mott.

Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has also backed the left-armer to make the most of his recall.

Bollinger has been Australia’s most consistent Test bowler this year until breaking down in India with a stomach strain in October. He returns after being left out of the past two Tests in Perth and Melbourne.

Since his axing, Bollinger has performed with distinction for New South Wales at One-day and shield level. He picked up six wickets on a spin-friendly wicket at Blacktown a fortnight ago in a shield game against Queensland.