Bollinger preferred to Hilfenhaus to play South Africa at the SCG

Sydney, Jan.2 (ANI): New South Wales left-arm pacer Doug Bollinger has won his first cap after being preferred to Tasmanian seamer Ben Hilfenhaus for the third Test against South Africa.

In an apparent horse for courses selection the Australian selectors have opted for Bollinger's knowledge and success at his home ground - the SCG - which hosts the Test starting tomorrow.

It will mean Australia will play two left-arm pacers for the first time in nearly 20 years, The Australian reports.

With Brett Lee missing through injury, the modestly-experienced leftie Mitchell Johnson will lead the attack, with Victorian quick Peter Siddle the third fast bowler chosen as Australia attempts to avoid a home series whitewash.

Down 2-0 in the three-Test series the Australians have also included Victorian all-rounder Andrew McDonald to make his debut.

McDonald will bat at No.6 and offer skipper Ricky Ponting a fourth pace bowling option which he did not have in Melbourne due to injury to Andrew Symonds (knee) who has joined Lee on the sidelines.

Ponting said the decision between Bollinger and Hilfenhaus came down largely to the game's location.

"That's probably a lot to do with his overall skills at the SCG. He knows the conditions very well and will hopefully swing the new ball and late in the innings as well,'' Ponting said.

Australia: M Hayden, S Katich, R Ponting (c), M Hussey, M Clarke, A Symonds, B Haddin, D Bllinger, M Johnson, A McDonald, N Hauritz, P Siddle. 12th man B Hilfenhaus. (ANI)