Hilfenhaus begins comeback with Australia A squad

Australia fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus begins his comeback from injury with the Australia A team that will take on Sri Lanka A in the first four-day game at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, from tomorrow. Hilfenhaus hasn't played since the first Test of the home summer, when he was the Man of the Match against West Indies at the Gabba. Tendonitis in his left knee created so much pain the day after a long bowling spell that he could barely walk.

James Pattinson, younger brother of England test player Darren Pattinson, has been named twelfth man. If Pattinson progresses as the Australian selectors hope, he and his brother will join the Trotts of Australia and England and the Hearnes of England and South Africa, as the only brothers to play Test cricket for different countries.

The team is led by George Bailey, who believes the latest crop of Australian cricketers is full of promise. "The juniors and the younger players that are coming through are going to be outstanding. I think this batch of fast bowlers that are coming through now - James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc - those sorts of bowlers, are really exciting, have good pace and can swing the ball."

The two sides are set to play two four-days games, three ODIs and one Twenty20 match.

Squad: George Bailey (Capt), Andrew McDonald, Ed Cowan, Peter Forrest, Peter George, Ben Hilfenhaus, Usman Khawaja, Michael Klinger, Stephen O'Keefe, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc.