Bollinger is ready to wait for his turn

ABU DHABI // Doug Bollinger is doing everything he can to make sure he is a permanent fixture in the Australia side. Bollinger made his Test debut against South Africa earlier this year and was handed his one-day cap in Australia's six-wicket one-day international victory over Pakistan in Dubai last week. The 27-year-old fast bowler was unlucky not to pick up a wicket as he finished his 10 overs with the impressive figures of no wicket for 26.

He was dropped for the third game in the capital but came back strongly yesterday when he removed the in-form opener Salman Butt in the first over itself yesterday. He went on to grab five wickets for 35 runs and ensured that Pakistan were all out for 197. Despite his recent good form, Bollinger is yet to cement his place amid the high competition in the squad. His fellow New South Welshman Nathan Bracken is one of the first players picked in Australia's one-day side. Ben Hilfenhaus has bowled well in the last six months, while Stuart Clark and Brett Lee are returning from injury.

On turning pitches where off-spinners Nathan Hauritz and Michael Clarke are doing well, the possibility to go with three seamers has made the choice even more difficult. But Bollinger welcomes the competition and is determined to do anything he can to keep his name in front of selectors. "It has been really competitive and all of the guys have stepped up and done a good job," Bollinger said. Bollinger's ultimate goal is to be selected for the Ashes in England later this year, but he is concentrating on putting in a good performance against Pakistan to show selectors exactly what he can do.

"My aim is to finish off with a good tour here and if I happen to get selected to go over to England that would be great," he said. "I am working hard and busting my gut to do well here." * agencies