Bollinger 8216;thrilled8217; after Sydney call-up

New South Wales left arm quick Doug Bollinger will replace injured strike bowler Brett Lee in the Sydney Test.

New South Wales left arm quick Doug Bollinger is thrilled with his call-up for the Sydney Test that begins on Saturday, and hopes to save 8216;once great8217; Australia from further embarrassment at the hands of the South Africans.

Bollinger, 27, was called into the 12-man national squad to replace injured strike bowler Brett Lee and has a strong chance of finally making his Test debut given his brilliant record at the SCG.

In his most recent match at the ground, for NSW against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, Bollinger took a career-best 6-47.

Bollinger believes his familiarity with the SCG may give him an edge over Tasmania rival Ben Hilfenhaus, known for his ability to swing the ball.

Asked if he was the man to save once-great Australia from further embarrassment at the hands of the Proteas, Fox Sports quoted Bollinger as saying: 8220;I8217;d like to be. I hope I will be, if I happen to play, if I get the opportunity at the SCG. I think I have bowled well there the last couple of years. Coming back from India, I think I was searching a bit for wickets early in the season. But I think I am bowling well now and the six-for was the icing on the cake,8221; he added.

After the failure of the bowling unit in the last two Tests, Bollinger was well aware that he was in the selectors8217; thinking but he has tried to keep a lid on his expectations.

He was mowing his lawn when Cricket Australia official Michael Brown telephoned him to confirm his elevation to the squad.

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8220;Then I washed the car,8221; the down-to-earth fast bowler said. 8220;I was trying to get on with it, not think about it too much. You can put yourself on a pedestal waiting for the call and when it doesn8217;t come it8217;s very disappointing. I just tried to keep my mind busy.8221;

But he confessed it was 8220;very, very exciting8221; to be in the squad. 8220;I can8217;t wait to get among the guys,8221; Bollinger said.

8220;I8217;d like to think my chances of playing are pretty good. But 8221;Hilfy8221; is a good bowler as well. We all have to keep enjoying it and play good Aussie cricket,8221; he said.

Despite the frustration of not playing on the two international tours this year, Bollinger said he had learned much from the players and coaches and was confident he could slot into the team quickly.

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8220;I got a lot of work out of Troy Cooley and Tim Nielsen, even the players. I got along well with Mike Hussey and 8221;Pup8221; Michael Clarke. I tried to squeeze as much out of it as I could.8221;

He admitted he was salivating at the prospect of getting among the South Africa tailenders, who turned the last Test around with their determined batting.

8220;As long as I am bowling, I think I will be trying to bowl a little bit shorter and getting into them,8221; he said. 8220;We have to win the last Test,8221; he added.