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Durham could be hit by Di Venuto Test call
The chances of Australian batsman Michael Di Venuto returning to Durham next summer could hinge on an unexpected call up to Australia's Test squad for the home series against Sri Lanka next month.
The 33-year-old left-hander, who averaged a modest 26.77 in nine one-day internationals for Australia a decade ago, made a spectacular return to state cricket for defending champions Tasmania last week.
He hit a match-saving 178 in the second innings of the four-day Pura Cup match against Queensland in Brisbane.
Former Tasmania player and current state coach Tim Coyle has urged the selectors to consider giving Di Venuto a Test debut, dismissing the former Derbyshire captain's age as irrelevant.
"I'm not sure of the selection criteria, but they don't have any trouble picking a 36-year-old leg-spinner, Stuart MacGill, and they are also considering Brad Hogg as a spinner at 36," Coyle said.
"Someone tell me the difference between a 36-year-old wrist spinner playing Test cricket and a 33-year-old opening bat?
"I wouldn't have thought there is too much difference.
"In many people's eyes they would assume it's gone past him at 33. At the same time, he's just in fantastic form.
"Maybe it has gone past him but it would be nice to see his name mentioned at some stage in recognition for what he's been able to do last season for Tasmania and in the first game this year."
Justin Langer's international retirement has left a vacancy at the top of Australia's Test batting line-up with Phil Jaques and Northants star Chris Rogers leading the chase to fill the opening spot alongside Matthew Hayden.
Australian legend and former selector Allan Border is certain that, if selected, Di Venuto has the ability to handle the best bowlers in world cricket.
"There's no doubt that Michael Di Venuto is a quality player when he's in the mood," Border said.
After a highly successful first season with Durham, Di Venuto has left county officials with the impression that he will return to play under the Italian passport to which he is entitled through his father.
That would force him to appear for Tasmania as an overseas player - something he hopes to resolve before returning to England in April.
Di Venuto played a pivotal role in helping Durham finish second in the Championship, in which he scored 1329 runs at 66.45.
But he was sorry to miss the birth of his second child.
Di Venuto's partner Renae, who was seven months pregnant, had to return to Australia in July, and baby Luca was born before Di Venuto returned to Hobart in September.
Despite receiving a constant stream of baby photos before he went home, Di Venuto revealed that if Durham had struggled he would have packed his bags and gone home early.
"Not being at the birth wasn't ideal but unfortunately sometimes things don't work out," he said.
"It was just one of those things, but we knew it was going to happen.
"Had the season not been so successful for Durham I would have scooted home early.
"After she left it wasn't a great couple of weeks but we had excellent support from her family and mine."
Di Venuto plans to assess his form for Tasmania and in his own words "see how my body is feeling next year" before making a decision about his Durham future.
He currently averages nine for Tasmania after the opening one-day Ford Ranger Cup match of the Australian summer and 89 in the Pura Cup.
9:34am Monday 22nd October 2007
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