Geeves to cover for injured Bollinger

Tasmania fast bowler Brett Geeves has been called into Australia's Test squad in South Africa as cover for Doug Bollinger, who suffered an abdominal strain while training during the Wanderers Test. Geeves will join the touring party on Monday for what will be his first overseas trip with the Australian team, while Bollinger will remain with the squad for the time being.

The left-armer Bollinger, who made his Test debut in Sydney, has been ruled out of the second Test in Durban but will be monitored over the next few days to determine if he has any chance of playing the final game in Cape Town. Bollinger was not chosen for the first Test in Johannesburg with the allrounder Andrew McDonald being preferred instead.

"Doug Bollinger sustained an abdominal muscle strain on day two of the Test during a training session," Australia's physio Alex Kountouris said. "An MRI scan confirmed the presence of a moderate size muscle strain that will effectively rule him out of contention for the second Test against South Africa in Durban."

Geeves, 26, got his first taste of international cricket in August when he was included in the squad for the one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin, where he played one of the three games. He has been in strong form for Tasmania and in a match that finished this weekend, he collected 6 for 47 in the second innings, finishing with eight for the game.

He is third on the Sheffield Shield wickets tally with 37 at 23.86 each. Geeves has also been in excellent batting form and twice this season has run out of partners on 99 while looking for his maiden first-class century.

"Brett performed well during his time with the Australian one-day team in Darwin last year and we are looking forward to seeing another young player with an opportunity to perform at the next level," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. "He has been consistent again for Tasmania this season. The national selection panel will work closely with the team's medical staff over the next few days to assess if Doug will remain with the squad or return to Australia to continue his recovery."