George named to replace Harris in Test squad

South Australian fast bowler Peter George has been named as the replacement player for Ryan Harris in the Test squad to play Pakistan in England this month.

Queenslander Harris returns home this week to Brisbane for further assessment on a knee injury he picked up during Australia’s fifth One-Day international victory over England at Lord’s on Saturday.

Doug Bollinger, who was recently added to the One-Day squad, will stay on for the two Twenty20 matches against Pakistan at Birmingham tomorrow morning and Wednesday morning (Australian time).

George was, until this evening when he left for England, in camp with the Australian A squad that is hosting Sri Lanka A in Townsville and Brisbane, having also spent time this winter at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

The 23-year old has starred for the Redbacks during his short Sheffield Shield career to date with 67 wickets from 18 first-class matches.

Andrew Hilditch, the Chairman of the National Selection Panel said today, “Peter (George) had an excellent Shield season last year and was called up to the New Zealand tour earlier in the year where he impressed around the squad.

“He has followed that with a very impressive bowling performance for Australia A against Sri Lanka A recently and we are confident he will perform well at international level should he get the opportunity on this tour.”

Australia takes on Pakistan in two Test matches starting on Tuesday week (July 13) at Lord’s, while from Wednesday July 21 the second Test at Headingley in Leeds.

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