Beer in a spin over surprise Test debut

IN JANUARY Michael Beer was taking wickets at Eastern Oval.Next week the left-arm spinner is tipped to make his test debut in Perth after he was a shock inclusion yesterday into a 12-man Australian squad.Beer brought his game to Ballarat last summer with St Kilda in Victorian Premier Cricket's country round one-dayers.He posted 2-11 and three maidens off eight overs in the club's 112-run win against Footscray-Edgewater.The 26-year-old transferred to Western Australia for Sheffield Shield this season and has played five first-class games with 16 wickets.Beer replaces Xavier Doherty in the Australian squad after impressing selectors at domestic level and in taking English wickets in a tour match earlier this season.DUNNSTOWN can boast one of the most successful Ballarat Cricket Association district clubs.The Towners have won eight division one and one division three premierships since the 1996-97 season, including last summer's division one title.They plan to celebrate and reflect on premiership glory, bringing all loyal Towners together in a past players' day this summer.All Towners are called to unite at Dunnstown Recreation Reserve on February 26 from 1pm.The reunion is also a chance to rally for the Towners division one team in its final home-and-away match as they launch their bid for back-to-back shields. Dunnstown Cricket Club was formed in 1983-84 with more than 220 players working through their ranks.The club hopes to make the past players' day an annual event and a chance to catch up.For more information contact: Peter Mead on 0448 278 260, Phil Collins on 0417 316 964 or Simon Britt on 0414 347 310.CENTRAL Highlands has finalised its under-16 and under-14 girls' pathways squads for this summer's state championships.The girls will hit the field from January 24 in a three-day tournament.Squads have stepped up preparations the past month, including Twenty20 practice matches with the Central Highlands under-18 girls team. The region's under-14 girls will meet again on Friday afternoon at Brown Hill for a final pre-Christmas training session.Central Highlands under-18 girls, which had their cap presentation last week, start their state championship on Tuesday in Twenty20 matches against Western Spirit and North East Knights at Waverley.SQUADSUNDER-14Danielle Borrelli (Chalambar)Jessica Mundy (Woodend)Samantha Stevenson (Macedon)Kimi Stevenson (Macedon)Jacinta Goodger-Chandler (Colts Phelan/East Ballarat)Lauren McCarthy (Tatyoon)Jane Astbury (Tatyoon)Jordyn Pearson (Sunbury)Emma Lynch (East Ballarat)Madeleine Ogilvie (Golden Point)Tegan O'Dowd (East Ballarat)Sophie Van De Heuval (Golden Point)Jakki Orszaczki (Chalambar)Coach: Michael FlynnAssistant coaches: Beth Taylor and Jessica KileUNDER-16Kristy Begbie (East Ballarat)Summer Dehnert (Ballan)Jenna Fowlie (Bacchus Marsh)Lize-Mari Mitchley (Sunbury)Aimee O'Brien (East Ballarat)Sarah Tatchell (Colts Phelans/East Ballarat)Tiffany Boatman (St Andrews)Emily Sculley (Coronet City)Maggie Toohey (East Ballarat)Eleanor Stewart (Chalambar) Abby Cummins (East Ballarat)Dannielle Menzies (Darley)Liz Ryan (Gisborne) Coach: Sasha PeersAssistant coaches: Lany Johnson and Tegan Orwin.