Michael Beer’s selection in the Australian side for the third Ashes Test at Perth in 2011 came as a complete surprise to the cricketing fraternity, since he had played just five first-class matches before being picked.

The left-arm spinner had previously impressed with his bowling when he claimed five wickets against the touring Englishmen in late 2010. For several years, Beer struggled through club cricket in Melbourne, before moving to Western Australia during the 2010 season and eventually found a way to national contention. A Cricket Australia contract did not follow, but he retained his place for the Sri Lanka Test series. The Perth lad is also a part of the Perth Scorchers T20 side.