Dorey handed Australia call for VB Series

Brett Dorey has been rewarded for some solid performances for Western Australia © Getty Images

Australia have handed a first international call-up to the Western Australia seam bowler Brett Dorey for the VB Series involving South Africa and Sri Lanka. There are also recalls for Damien Martyn and James Hopes, while Glenn McGrath returns after being rested for the Chappell-Hadlee series.

Dorey, 28, is a straight swap for Mick Lewis and certainly comes with an interesting background. He represented WA at Under-17 and Under-19 level in 1995 and 1997, before heading to Europe on a travelling adventure where he found himself working as a bodyguard to the children of a wealthy Russian businessman. After returning to WA in 2004, he decided to play cricket again and was called into an injury depleted WA side to make his debut against Queensland in November.

"It's a dream come true to be selected to play for Australia," Dorey said. "To think that two years ago I thought I'd never play cricket again and now I've been chosen to represent my country, it's just amazing."

He has very limited experienced at domestic one-day level - 10 matches and 11 wickets - but has caught the eye of the chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns. "Brett is an exciting prospect who has good height and is able to generate good bounce. He has had solid results in domestic cricket and we want to have a look at him at the next level."

Meanwhile Hopes, a powerful middle-order batsman and seam bowler, replaces Cameron White after recovering from a dislocated shoulder which ruled him out against New Zealand. Martyn replaces Brad Hodge after recovering from a finger injury while Mitchell Johnson misses out.

Hohns added that Australia wanted to check out all their options ahead of the World Cup: "Even during this VB Series, there may be occasions where we look to other players. With the return of McGrath, Martyn and Hopes it just wasn't possible to find room for everyone and the view is now firmly on preparing for the World Cup in 15 months time."

Australia squad Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist (wk), Simon Katich, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Brett Dorey, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark