Date-stamped : 06 Jan95 - 10:33
IT'S A-OK FOR CROWEATER TRIO

Australia's selectors sent the West Indian tour  ambitions  of  a
trio  of  South  Australians soaring last night with inclusion in
the Australian A side.

Fast bowler Shane George, leg-spinner  Peter  McIntyre  and  all-
rounder  Greg  Blewett were named in a revamped Australian A side
to meet Australia at the Gabba on Sunday. With a squad of  15  to
be  chosen  for  the four-Test tour of the West Indies later this
month,  the  selectors  have  acted  far more   decisively    and
adventurous   than  expected.  The  tour hopes  of fast bowler Jo
Angel, all-rounder Tom Moody, toporder batsman Darren Lehmann and
paceman Greg Rowell have plummeted with their exclusion from  the
A team.

As expected, Michael Bevan has been dropped to the A side, paving
the  way  for  the  return of Steve Waugh to the Australian team,
with  Stuart  Law  retaining  the  all-rounder's    position.Test
wicket-keeper  Ian  Healy  has been rested because of a hamstring
strain, allowing Phil Emery to act  as  his  replacement.  Taking
Emery's   place  in  the A  team is Tasmania's Mark Atkinson, the
former NSW second XI keeper  who  kept  for  the  Australian   XI
against England in Hobart.

But Croweaters McIntyre, 28, Blewett, 23, and George, 24, are the
rivetting  selections  of  the  squads. Leg-spinner McIntyre left
Victoria to escape the shadow  of  Shane  Warne.  He  has  bowled
exceptionally  well  this  season  after breaking a finger on his
bowling hand last summer. Against the Englishmen,  McIntyre   was
accurate   and  clever,  taking 6-137  from  44.4  overs. In four
first-class games this season he has 24 wickets at 21.79.

The omission of Angel is all the more surprising  as  reports  of
his  tour  of  Pakistan were encouraging. He took nine wickets in
his game against Victoria and five in  an  innings against   NSW.
Yet George, who is about half Angel's size, has apparently passed
the West Australian. He has been the important new-ball weapon in
South  Australia's  three  successive Sheffield Shield match wins
with 22 wickets at 30.5. South Australian captain  Jamie  Siddons
advocated the inclusion of George earlier in the week as a result
of his genuinely fast bowling.

Blewett will open the  batting  with  Matthew  Hayden  after  two
first-class   centuries   this   season   and  546 runs at 49.63.
Like Law, he is a useful medium-pacer.

The demotion will come as an intense  disappointment  for  Bevan,
24, who did so well in Pakistan, but who has made only 81 runs in
six Test innings against England.

AUSTRALIA: Mark Taylor (c), Michael  Slater,  Mark  Waugh,  David
Boon.  Steve  Waugh,  Stuart  Law, Phil Emery, Shane Warne, Craig
McDermott, Glenn McGrath, Damien Fleming, Tim May.

AUSTRALIA A: Greg Blewett, Matthew  Hayden,  Damien  Martyn  (c),
Michael  Bevan, Justin Langer. Ricky Ponting. Mark Atkinson. Paul
Reiffel,  Gavin  Robertson,  Merv  Hughes.  Shane  George.  Peter
McIntyre.

(Thanks : PHIL WILKINS, Sydney Morning Herald)
<END> Contributed by Travis (travis@jolt.mpx.com.au)