Australia overhaul bowling unit for Sri Lanka tests

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia included three  uncapped bowlers in their 15-man squad named on Tuesday for  three tests against Sri Lanka in an overhaul of the unit which  was hammered by England in the Ashes debacle.
Spinner Nathan Lyon and quick Trent Copeland were surprise  inclusions, while another paceman, James Pattinson, had been  expected to be selected for the September tests after touring  with the one-day team to Bangladesh earlier this year.

Off-spinner Lyon, who has played just a handful of first  class matches, will be the 11th spinner to be used in a test  match since Shane Warne retired in 2007 should he make his debut  in Sri Lanka.

“Nathan may be a surprise selection, but he impressed all  who have seen him in the last year and bowled beautifully (on  the A team tour to Zimbabwe),” chief selector Andrew Hilditch  said of the 24-year-old.

“He is a young man with immense potential and we feel he  will take this opportunity should he get the chance to play in  Sri Lanka.”