Cricket Australia has taken its first major step towards rebuilding the side for next summer's Ashes series, recalling Doug Bollinger for fellow NSW paceman Stuart Clark.
Bollinger's inclusion for the first Test against West Indies in Brisbane on November 26 is the only change to the 12-man squad from Australia's last Test against England at The Oval in August.
Selection boss Andrew Hilditch announced the squad at the SCG yesterday and denied age was an issue with Clark, who at 34 is six years older than Bollinger.
Bollinger, whose only Test was against South Africa at the SCG 10 months ago, has been in good form with nine wickets at 19.33 in Australia's one-day international series in India which was completed earlier this month.
Clark (3-67 off 29 overs) was impressive on day three of the Sheffield Shield match for NSW against Tasmania at the SCG yesterday, although left-armer Bollinger bowled well without luck and took 1-74 from 29 overs on a lifeless pitch.
''With the news today I feel really good, I'm really excited,'' Bollinger said.
But the knockabout pace bowler from Sydney's west didn't spend much time thinking about his selection chances overnight.
''I was too busy looking after my three-month old. I had a couple of other things on my mind which was pretty good otherwise because if I'd sat up thinking about it, I probably wouldn't have slept,'' he said.
''I just got told I was in the 12, which is fine for me at the moment. I felt like I bowled really well, I felt like I bowled fast here today.''
Bollinger is set to carry the drinks in Brisbane with Hilditch saying he expected spinner Nathan Hauritz would be included in the 11.
But 12th man is fine for Bollinger who has a big future ahead of him compared to the situation confronting Clark, Bollinger's mentor.
''Sarf [Clark] walked in and asked if I was in. I kind of felt bad, you know what I mean?,'' Bollinger said.
''But he's been really supportive and good to me. I'm really happy with the news I've got but Sarf has been such a great bowler and mentor to me as well.''
Hilditch said Clark had been extremely unlucky to miss national selection.
''But we have been very impressed with Doug's form in the recent ODI series in India,'' Hilditch said.
Asked if Clark's age was a factor, Hilditch said: ''No. It's an assessment of Doug at the moment.
''We'd like to win every Test match going into the Ashes because we're trying to build confidence in the new team, but we have our eye very much on the Ashes,'' Hilditch added.
''If our assessment at the time is Stuart's the best bowler for the Ashes and he's still going well, then so be it.''
Clark has an impressive record of 94 wickets at 23.86 but struggled on the Ashes tour, taking four wickets at 44.00 in two Tests.
Young opener Phillip Hughes, who was dropped after two Tests of the 2009 Ashes series and replaced at the top of the order by all-rounder Shane Watson, has failed to force his way back into the Australian side.
NSW spinner Hauritz, who was left out of the 11 for the fifth Ashes Test in August, was given the nod for the Brisbane squad ahead of Tasmania's Jason Krejza.
Australia has retained No4 Mike Hussey, who averages only 27.18 in his past 13 Tests.
''Michael Hussey scored a hundred in his last Test. He deserves to be in the side and I think he'll play very well,'' Hilditch said. AAP
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