SYDNEY – Australian captain Michael Clarke on Sunday confirmed that batsman Usman Khawaja and spinner Michael Beer will make their debuts for Australia in the final Ashes Test against England at the Sydney ground.
Usman, the Pakistan-born cricketer, will become the first Muslim to play Test cricket for his adopted country, while Beer will get his debut after playing just seven first-class matches for Western Australia. Usman will step into the demanding number three batting position, up to now occupied by Ponting.
Clarke, standing in as captain for the injured Ricky Ponting, said that selectors had chosen to use the left-arm spin of Beer while making fast bowler Doug Bollinger the 12th man for the fifth Test, starting on Monday.
