da betsul： A nervous Cameron White prepares himself to possibly take on the role as Australia’s specialist spinner
Cricinfo staff07-Oct-2008
Cameron White: “It’s a little bit daunting, I’m probably a little bit nervous at themoment as well” © Getty Images
Cameron White remains in a daze following the late call-up that could leadto a Test debut on Thursday. Australia’s selectors will look at White, whois usually considered a batting allrounder, to fill the spinner’s spotfollowing a tour-ending injury to Bryce McGain and the poor start of JasonKrejza in the warm-up game in Hyderabad.McGain is confident his Victoria captain, White, can make an impact at Testlevel, but White is unsure what role – if any – he will be asked tofulfill. He has been in India for two days and said it would take time toget his head around the swift elevation.”It’s a little bit daunting, I’m probably a little bit nervous at themoment as well,” White told AAP. “So I don’t really know what myrole is if it does happen, probably a pretty big ‘if’ at the moment. Inthe next couple of days I’ll get more information and go from there.”Beau Casson became Australia’s 401st Test player in Australia’s previousengagement against WestIndies in June, but the selectors have refused to invite him to India,leaving White in a battle with Krejza. The offspinner Krejza was punishedby the Indian Board President’s XI when he failed to take a wicket andconceded 199runs in 31 overs.At Victoria, White, who is more accustomed to containing in the one-dayformat, prefers to rely on McGain rather than use himself for extendedperiods. However, White won praise from Andrew Hilditch, the chairman ofselectors, for his five ODI wickets against Bangladesh recently and was called forhis second Test tour.”If the opportunity did come [my role] would just be to not be tooexpensive, just play that holding role maybe,” he said. “I’m probably nota big spinner of the ball, probably the pitches in Australia tend tobounce a little more.”I’ve only played a couple of four-day games here in the past and I don’treally tend to bowl too wide. I’m usually down the middle of the wicket orthe best part of the wicket, so I just rely more on changes of pace and awrong’un more than anything.”