JAMES Hopes and Brad Hogg have been reinstated into the Australia side to face Sri Lanka in the one-day tri series match in Perth.
The unlucky Stuart Clark and Brad Haddin are the men to make way, with a flat-looking WACA pitch making batting strength, and a change of pace in the bowling stocks, a priority.
Captain Ricky Ponting said he was looking forward to another emotional occasion as Adam Gilchrist plays his last game on his home ground.
And he also admitted Clark had been slightly unlucky to be dropped, after posting figures of 1-26 in the last losing outing against India at the MCG.
"Hopes’ hamstring has loosened up a little bit from where it was the other day, and Hoggy will come back in as well," Ponting said.
"The wicket is very hard and very flat, so I think some change of pace with those two guys coming into the side will help us out.
"And I think we will use the other part timers as well, because the quicks out there might just be the easiest bowlers to face."
Gilchrist’s WACA farewell will contain more than just one last innings for the WA crowd, with two large graffiti art murals placed around the ground for fans to sign.
The murals will be presented to Gilchrist at the end of the summer, while 10,000 "Gilly Gloves" – featuring the message "Thx Gilly!" – will be given to fans.
"It is hitting him game by game I think," Ponting said.
"The moment he made his announcement in Adelaide was a shock for us … and it is great to see there will be a sellout crowd tomorrow, there are going to be banners all over the place.
"Hopefully he can get some runs and do the right thing by the fans."
AAP
Source: Hopes and Hogg back in
