Between Shane Warne and Nathan Lyon : Australia's army of unheralded spinners

#6 Michael Beer

Michael Beer during The Ashes 2010/11

Michael Beer, a slow left-arm orthodox spinner, was a surprise inclusion in the Australian squad for the 2010/11 Ashes series. Having played only five first class matches till then, he was selected more out of the desperation of selectors after a couple of unimpressive Test outings for Xavier Doherty.

A five wicket haul against the touring English side during a practice match worked in his favor and he was named in the squad for the Perth Test. Beer finally made his Test debut in the final match of the series at Sydney.

Michael Beer had a forgettable Test debut, bagging figures of 38-3-112-1, the solitary wicket being that of Paul Collingwood. Although Australia lost the series 3-1, Beer remained on selectors' radar possibly due to dearth of able replacements. He was again selected for the tour of West Indies a year later.

Beer made his second and last Test appearance for Australia in the first Test of the series at Port of Spain. With just a couple of wickets to show for his efforts in almost 30 overs, he was replaced for the rest of the series by Nathan Lyon, who at 24 years of age at the time was slowly rising up the ranks in the Australian pecking order.

#5 Bryce McGain

McGain playing for Victoria in a Sheffield Shield match

Bryce McGain turned from an IT worker to a professional cricketer at the ripe old age (in cricketing terms) of 35. Such was his explosion onto the scene that he was selected in the squad for Australia's tour of India in 2008 for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy just after playing a year of Shield cricket.

Australia's desperate search for the next long term spinner led to his inclusion, but looking at his age, him being labelled as a 'long-term' solution for Australia's spin problems seemed out of place. Nevertheless, a decent tour of India for Australia 'A' helped his cause. But fate had other plans for the veteran as he was ruled out of the Test series before the first match due to a tendon injury.

McGain underwent surgery but didn't give up on his Baggy Green dreams. He returned to play Shield cricket in the 2009 season and was selected for the tour of South Africa after an impressive 5-wicket haul for Victoria.

He finally made his Test debut, aged 36, at Cape Town but was taken to cleaners by the likes of Kallis and De Villiers as South Africa cruised home with an innings victory. McGain had a highly forgettable debut as he struggled to find his length, and ended up wicketless with an economy of 8.27 after bowling 18 overs.

He was dropped thereafter and was forgotten by the selectors. Hopes for further international action faded as he aged and his Test debut remains his only appearance for Australia in international cricket.