Selectors go the whole Hogg

PERTH, Dec 18 AAP - The glitz and glamour of Australian cricket player Shane Warne has been replaced by a humble country boy made good.

Spin wizard Warne's busted shoulder today opened the door for the surprise selection of West Australian allrounder Brad Hogg for Sunday's day-night match against Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground.

His call-up completes a remarkable turnaround for the 31-year-old Hogg after six years out of international cricket following his single appearance in a Test loss to India by seven wickets in Delhi.

He's played seven international one-dayers.

The Hogg family farm is located near the country town of Williams about one-and-a-half hours drive south-east of Perth.

It is the same district where former Australian coach and vice-captain Geoff Marsh grew up and it was Marsh who identified Hogg's talent and brought him to the city as a youngster.

But despite years of city living Hogg has stated that his ideal job outside of cricket would be as a farmer.

It marks a sharp contrast to city-slicker Warne who has achieved worldwide notoriety for his theatrical antics on and off the field to go with his extraordinary cricketing achievements.

Injured Australian vice captain Adam Gilchrist said postal worker Hogg deserved the chance after falling out of the national selection picture almost as soon as he arrived.

"That has just capped off a great reversal of fortunes for Hoggy," he said.

"He sort of flew into the Australian team some six years ago, but sort of left just as quickly, but he has reinvented himself again.

"He is very versatile in one day cricket and I guess that is what the selectors are looking for and he really deserves the chance."

Left-arm legspinner Hogg's ability as a dangerous batsman at the death and his standing as one of the best fieldsman in the country would have helped sway the selectors.

But while Warne's misfortune is Hogg's gain, the major loser is young Queensland spinner Nathan Hauritz who failed to inspire selectors with his efforts for Australia A this summer.

Hogg said today's call-up had meant more to him than his initial Australian selection.

He admitted he thought he might have been a chance to be picked following Warne's shoulder injury and having performed well for Australia A this year.

"I was sort of shocked, I was sitting there with my wife at the time on the couch watching it and it's not something you want to see," Hogg told reporters in Adelaide.

"But obviously things do go through your mind and I was probably in with a show.

"But you never think of it like that, I'd prefer to be playing a game with Warney rather than doing it this way, but you take opportunities with both hands."

Hogg must now be rated a chance to make Australia's World Cup squad given the uncertainty over Warne's future, and an outside chance at Test selection.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Campbell was predictably recalled for his second international one-day appearance in place of Gilchrist who is expected to be back for the Boxing Day Test after suffering niggling groin and knee problems.

Campbell said fans could expect some more party tricks this weekend after some inventive shots in his 42 off 28 balls for Australia A against Sri Lanka at the Gabba on Saturday.

"I don't feel like I'm a massive hitter and sometimes I feel like I need to get a little bit funkier," he said.

He scored two unconventional boundaries by kneeling down and flicking the ball over the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper's head in the match, but joked he might injure himself next time he tries it.

"Next time I try it I'll probably hit myself in the head," he said.

Campbell and Hogg learnt of their selection while in Adelaide with their WA teammates preparing for tomorrow's Pura Cup match against South Australia, but had made plans to fly home tonight.

But Gilchrist denied his unavailability at the top of the batting order would disrupt the Australian team's batting order and that Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann or Campbell would all be suitable replacements.

"There are a few options and I think that is a good sign for Australia and for the team that we are so versatile," he said.

"Damien Martyn opened here (at the WACA Ground) in a one-dayer (in 2000-01 against Zimbabwe) and got a hundred and batted through the innings.

"Him or (Darren) Lehmann or Ryan (Campbell) might do it himself although he has been batting down the middle order a bit but there are plenty of options but I guess the one certainty is that Hayden will be there."