Alex Doolan

The Tasmanian Alex Doolan has firmly established himself as an useful number three batsman for Tasmania. He also plays for the Melbourne Renegades and club cricket for South Hobart/Sandy Bay Cricket Club.

Doolan first came into the limelight when playing for Australia A, he hit a scintillating unbeaten 161 against South Africa in 2012. His gritty stroke-play against the likes of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander earned him much repute. His strong performance continued in the Sheffield Shield that followed, which he finished with 715 runs at a decent average of 42. Doolan has moulded his game on that of fellow Tasmanian Ricky Ponting. He also shared two century stands with the Australian great in 2012-2013 playing at the domestic level.

Doolan was named as a replacement for an injured Shane Watson for the fifth Ashes Test at SCG. However, a fit Watson reclaimed his place in the squad with a successful fitness assessment. Doolan finally made his Test debut against South Africa in February 2014. Though he failed in the first innings, he was involved in a crucial 205-run stand with David Warner enroute to a well compiled 89. He also took an excellent catch to dismiss Graeme Smith in the same game. The selectors gave him a run in the entire series but he couldn't put up any significant scores in the remaining two Test matches.

However, Doolan remains a bright prospect for Australia and has the potential to become a fine Test cricket for his country.

By Sonali Dhulap

As of April 2014