He is yet to even make his one-day international debut, but Peter Forrest is on track to become an important member of Australia's Test line-up, according to skipper Michael Clarke.
Forrest has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Shield ranks this summer, plundering three tons and four half-centuries at an average of 58.1.
Although his form in the one-day format has not been nearly as impressive, the 26-year-old did enough to convince selectors to include him in Australia's squad for the triangular 50-over series against India and Sri Lanka.
After missing selection in game one, Forrest is a strong chance make his debut in Friday's one-day clash with Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground.
But Clarke believes the right-hander can achieve even higher honours further down the track.
"Foz is a wonderful talent and has been pretty successful for Queensland this year," he said on Thursday.
"He's got a very good technique, he's a very good top order batsman and I think he can play a big part in Australian cricket going forward.
"Not just in one-day cricket ... I think he's got the potential to play Test cricket as well in the future.
"It's good that Foz is around the group. It gives him a great opportunity to see what it's like around the Australian change rooms and how we go about our work in training and things like that.
"If he gets an opportunity to play, it's important he makes the most of it, but I'm not sure what 11 players we'll take onto the ground at the moment."
Australia will go into the game against Sri Lanka with the same bowling attack that skittled India for 151 last week.
With Brett Lee out injured, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene claimed Australia's bowling attack was its weak point.
But Clarke said his side had not taken any notice of the comments, and would let its actions speak louder than words.
And with the likes of Ricky Ponting and the Hussey brothers mixing it with youngsters David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Matthew Wade, Clarke felt the team had the perfect blend of youth and experience.
"Guys that have played a lot in Australia in these conditions can help the guys who haven't played too much international cricket in these conditions, so I think the mix is pretty good," he said.
"We know we're playing against two very good teams, two World Cup finalists, and we know we need to be at our best to beat them.
"Our goal is to win every game we play this series."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, wa, australia, qld First posted February 09, 2012 19:03:14
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