Bevan hoping for Test recall

Australia's one-day cricket hero Michael Bevan says Darren Lehmann's selection in Australia's 15-man squad to tour South Africa next month is a boost to his own Test hopes.

Bevan, 31, has not played a Test since the 1997/98 series against South Africa. The left-hander scored a superb 102 not out off 95 balls in Australia's two-wicket win over New Zealand in the limited overs match in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Lehmann, also 31, was named in Australia's touring squad on Wednesday, despite not having played a Test since 1998/99 against England in Sydney.

"It's great that someone like Boof (Lehmann) has been picked, from my perspective anyway, because it means that they are picking guys of that age regardless and you just have to have the runs on the board," Bevan said on Wednesday.

"It's a positive for me I think. I've scored as many runs as possible for New South Wales. I can't do any more, it's out of my hands really.

"I still hope I can play Test cricket one day.

"I think I'm good enough to and I think I'm a better player now than what I was in the past couple of years and my form has been great."

Bevan has scored 547 runs at an average of 68.37 for New South Wales in 2001/02 in Australia interstate cricket championship four-day matches with a highest score of 203 not out.

His Test record in 18 matches is more modest, including 785 runs at 29.07.

Mail Cricket Editor