Holland’s form praised by Finch
AARON Finch says Victorian leftarm spinner Jon Holland is a discerning call-up for Australia’s Test tour against heavyweight South Africa.
Holland, 30, was included in a 15man squad for the four-Test tour of South Africa in March along with West Australian Jhye Richardson.
Holland took 50 Sheffield Shield wickets last season, behind Chadd Sayers’ 62, which included 7/82 against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final in Alice Springs.
Holland will shadow in-form offspinner Nathan Lyon with his best chance of selection in the second Test at Port Elizabeth. However, Finch says Holland is a proven game breaker.
“He has been in unbelievable form for a couple of years now,” noted Australian one-day batsman Finch of Victorian teammate Holland. “He spins the ball, takes wickets, is a genuine wicket-taker, (and to take) over 50 Shield wickets over the last two Shield seasons is outstanding. In big games, Shield finals he has taken fivefors, he is just a fantastic bowler.”
Holland was ruled out of the JLT one-day Cup by knee surgery and has Steve Smith (capt), David Warner (vice-capt), Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc.
David Warner (capt), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa. Nation. Finch believes Richardson’s raw pace sealed a slot but Sayers could take heart with Holland rewarded for perseverance.
“He bowls quick and can swing the ball, has a lot of great attributes. It is exciting when you raw pace like that. It will be great for Jhye to be in around the Test team,” said Finch of Australian one-day teammate Richardson. “He has had a taste of oneday and Test cricket.
“He (Sayers) just has to take wickets, Jon has finally got his opportunity after a couple of 50-plus wicket seasons.’
Finch arrived in Adelaide focused on avoiding a one-day series whitewash against England on Australia Day at Adelaide Oval.
England sealed a series victory in Sydney on Sunday night, holding a 3-0 lead with matches in Adelaide and Perth to follow. Keeper batsman Jos Buttler’s ton (100, 83 balls) steered England to 6-302. Australia fell short by 16 runs with all-rounders Marcus Stoinis (56), Mitch Marsh (55) and Finch (62) missing tons.
“I think there can be just a couple things we could touch up in all three couple of areas,” said Finch, who blasted centuries in Melbourne and Brisbane.