Jimmy Maher to join Test squad in the West Indies

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced today that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen Queensland Bulls captain Jimmy Maher to join the Australian Test squad on the Travelex Tour of the West Indies.

Maher, Australia's reserve wicket-keeper at the 2003 International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup has been selected to cover for Adam Gilchrist during Australia's three-day tour match against a University of West Indies XI in Barbados, beginning on 26 April.

It will be the first match Gilchrist has missed since Australia's victory over Holland in a World Cup preliminary match on 20 February.

NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said given Maher's likely selection in the 15-man squad for Australia's seven one-day internationals beginning on 17 May, it made sense to choose a player who would be with the side for the remainder of the tour.

"Jimmy will more than likely be part of our one-day squad in the West Indies simply on his batting alone, so it is important that we continue to give him added `keeping experience if he is to continue covering adequately for Adam Gilchrist on tour," Hohns said.

"We are not necessarily saying that Jimmy is the country's second-best wicket-keeping option, but for this match we would rather introduce a player who is going to be with the team for the duration of the trip, rather than fly someone across for a few days.

"As for Adam Gilchrist, it is important that we continue to monitor his workload and give him time-off where possible.

"He has had a long campaign and doesn't get many opportunities to rest, so we need to be conscious that he doesn't get over-worked and end up suffering from fatigue," he said.

Maher's inclusion in the Test squad means that he will relinquish his Australia A captaincy duties for the remainder of its series against South Africa A. He will depart Adelaide for Brisbane today.

New South Wales Blues batsman Simon Katich will stand in as captain.