Ed Cowan a breath of fresh air

Ed Cowan's rise to the Test team has been followed by many and he has found support from strong quarters. He may not be the most deserving opener to receive a Baggygreen – Phil Jaques and Chris Rogers had more to show when they were called up as openers – but considering his form and the problems Australia face, his call-up is deserved, writes Jamie Alter in Cricketnext.

There's something about the expectancy of an in-form opener entering the Test scene. It can be fuelled by the individual's run-scoring ability, his hunger for big scores in pressure situations. It can be because of an aging veteran's impending retirement, and the interest around whether the selectors will give him the chop. It can be the promise of fresh talent, of watching a batsman with much potential being given the biggest opportunity of his career.