Trent Copeland in line for Test debut

Claiming the first three wickets to fall, Copeland finished with 5-47 from 20 overs with eight maidens.The Board XI collapsed from 2-170 to 9-209 and was eventually bowled out for 258 after winning the toss and batting.Australia was 0-26 in reply. With Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting resting, Usman Khawaja (2) opened the batting with Phil Hughes (24).Bowling with clever variation and good control, Copeland’s performance suggested that his height, at almost two metres, could help compensate for a lack of pace.He claimed that patience in hot and unhelpful conditions was the foundation for his success.“I’m absolutely stoked to have played my first real game as an Australian cricketer and taking five wickets is astonishing. I’m very happy,” he said.“No, I’m not going to (start thinking Test matches),” he said. “I’ll take it as it comes. I’m just absolutely enjoying where I’m at at the moment.“Opening the bowling for an Australian side, getting some nicks through to Brad Haddin and talking to Michael Clarke about field settings, that’s a little bit beyond my wildest dreams.“I said to myself I needed to make an impression when I got here and hopefully I have done.”While some in the touring party and on Australia’s bloated 25-man contract list have modest first class records, the uncontracted Copeland, 25, now has 93 wickets at an average of under 22 apiece in 18 matches. This was his fifth five-wicket haul.There were encouraging signs that he performs in unfriendly bowling conditions, with 13 wickets at 20 from two Sheffield Shield matches in Adelaide.After some early seam movement thanks to a little moisture in the pitch Copeland claimed reverse swing was his greatest asset.“That’s a good sign and something we can expect over the three Test series so getting used to bowling with a little bit of reverse swing is always going to be helpful,” he said.The whole-hearted Peter Siddle found that his bang the ball into the pitch approach was counter-productive on a slow, low wicket so typical of the sub-continent.Siddle bowled too short too often and was the only Australian not to claim a wicket. Ryan Harris was rewarded for a strong performance with 2-39 from 16 overs.He is expected to return to the Test team after missing much of last season through injury. With Mitchell Johnson a certainty to play the first Test, Copeland’s biggest threat for a Test place appears to be inexperienced spinners Michael Beer and Nathan Lyon.Captain Michael Clarke insists that despite playing just one Test between them, both may play the first depending on the conditions.For someone playing just his fifth first class game Lyon (1-71), the South Australian off-spinner, acquitted himself quite well but lacked consistency at times.Beer improved as the day went on to finish with 2-42 from 18 overs. With Sri Lanka’s batsmen such good players of spin Copeland presents an enticing alternative as a steady seamer who can create pressure.