'Give Lyon an extended run' - Berry

Nathan Lyon's state coach, Darren Berry, hopes the offspinner is given an extended run in the Test side after being named in Australia's squad to tour Sri Lanka. Lyon was the most unexpected inclusion in the 15-man group, with only four first-class matches to his name, and he will compete with Michael Beer for the spinner's spot in the three-Test series.

Although Berry, Lyon's mentor at South Australia, was wary of rushing the inexperienced spinner, he said it was a brave selection and he was confident Lyon could make the step up to Test cricket. However, given Australia's recent history of discarding young spinners as quickly as they've been chosen, Berry said it was crucial that Lyon was not treated the same way.

"I think that now they've shown their hand and they've been brave enough to pick him ... they've got to give him every chance … not one or two Test matches and then say he's not ready," Berry said. "They've picked him, it's their responsibility now and in Australian cricket we need to embrace this young spinner and give him an extended run."

"He absolutely has the tools to be successful. He's a very, very talented offspin bowler. He does the rare thing that not many offspinners do in the current day - he hangs the ball in the air and he has wonderful flight and variation. He's an exciting talent. That said, no doubt Nathan this morning was quite shocked, as have many been, at his selection."

Shocked was an understatement. Lyon, 23, was not included in Australia A's first-class matches against Zimbabwe recently, and although he performed well in the one-day matches on the trip, a Test promotion was not on his radar and the call from chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch caught him off guard.

"I looked down at the phone and saw Andrew's name pop up and thought 'geez, what is going on here'," Lyon said. "It has certainly come out of the blue but I'm not going to knock it back, that is for sure."

The New South Wales fast bowler, Trent Copeland, was equally surprised at his call-up, which he described as "beyond belief". He said he was looking forward to the challenge of facing Sri Lanka and he hoped that his successful Australia A tour of Zimbabwe would hold him in good stead for the possible step up to Test cricket.

"Having played against Zimbabwe for the last month, and South Africa A in a few one-dayers as well, in Zimbabwean conditions which were quite flat, slow wickets, hopefully that gets us in tune for Sri Lanka, which are renowned to be quite flat as well," Copeland said. "Not only that, we're coming up against some top-notch cricketers."

To win a spot in Australia's starting line-up, Copeland will have to wait for an injury or jump ahead of one of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle or Ryan Harris, who are expected to have the front-running for the first Test in Galle. Harris had been one of Australia's best bowlers during the Ashes until an ankle fracture ended his series, and he is keen to resume his place in the baggy green.

"It's been very frustrating getting the injuries in the first place," Harris said. "That broken ankle came out of nowhere. I didn't have any warning. That's the frustrating part about it. It's been a hard road back, but it's been worth it. Anything's worth it to play for Australia. It's great to be back in there. My bowling is going well."