SYDNEY : Teenage quick Patrick Cummins could become Australia's youngest
Test player in nearly 60 years after being called up Monday for their
two-Test series in South Africa.The explosive 18-year-old
has played just three first-class matches for New South Wales, taking
nine wickets, but has impressed for Australia against South Africa in
the current Twenty20 series.He replaces James Pattinson in
the only change to the squad that defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 in their
three-Test battle last month and if he makes his debut will become the
youngest Australian to play a Test since Ian Craig in 1952-53Craig
was 17 years and 293 days on debut, with Cummins to be 18 years and 185
days when the Test series against South Africa starts.The next youngest was Tom Garrett, who was 18 years and 232 days when he played in Australia's first Test match in 1877.Australia play two Tests in South Africa, the first on November 9 in Cape Town and the second in Johannesburg from November 17.The
explosive Cummins took 2-27 off four overs in Australia's second
Twenty20 international against South Africa on Sunday, opening the
bowling and taking two for three in a two-over burst.For
Hilditch, Monday's announcement is likely his last as chairman of
selectors with Cricket Australia set to appoint a full-time selection
chairman and new panel as part of a review earlier this year.Squad:
Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson (vice-capt), Michael Beer, Trent
Copeland, Patrick Cummins, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Phil Hughes, Mike
Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Ricky
Ponting, Peter Siddle.
