It shapes as a big gamble, but cricket great Justin Langer reckons the selection of Nathan Coulter-Nile in the Australian Test squad is a wager that will pay off.
Coulter-Nile is a chance to play in the series-opening Test against the West Indies next week despite not featuring in a single Sheffield Shield game this summer.
A shoulder injury grounded Coulter-Nile early in the season, before a one-match suspension for dissent squashed his bid to return to Shield ranks last week.
Coulter-Nile's Test selection has been heavily criticised by the likes of former Test paceman Geoff Lawson and Victoria coach David Saker.
But Langer is confident Coulter-Nile is ready to step up to Test ranks, saying he had been in close contact with selectors Rod Marsh, Darren Lehmann, and Trevor Hohns about the decision.
"In a lot of ways, we're their best selectors because we see what's happening on the ground," Langer said on Friday.
"I was very clear that he (Coulter-Nile) was going to be a really good chance.
"I can understand why people are raising their eyebrows a little bit.
"But he's a supreme talent. If he stays on the park, he can bowl as quick as anyone in Australia at the moment.
"You don't have to be a Rhodes Scholar to work out that if you take Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris out of your side, they'll be looking for extra pace.
"Pat Cummins is injured as well, and Nathan Coulter-Nile is the next bit of pace around the place."
Fellow WA quick Jason Behrendorff would have also been in the Test frame if not for injury.
Behrendorff is battling an ongoing issue with stress fractures in his back.
Langer is hopeful the 25-year-old will be able to return in time for the Big Bash League, but there's also the chance he could miss the rest of the summer if the injury doesn't respond to treatment.
WA will be aiming to bounce back from last week's 356-run loss to Victoria when they take on Tasmania in the Shield clash at the WACA Ground, starting Sunday.
With Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, and Nathan Coulter-Nile all on Test duty, WA will again field an inexperienced side.
Langer is embracing the challenge, but he knows it will be tough.
"I mean if you take the best seven players out of the West Coast Eagles, or Hawthorn, or the Wildcats, or Perth Glory, your depth is going to be tested," Langer said.
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