Bollinger eager to seize opportunity

Doug Bollinger is optimistic that Australia captain Ricky Ponting will give him the new ball against West Indies on Friday

Australia fast bowler Doug Bollinger has had to wait 11 months to play his second Test, but he is still confident enough to put his hand up for the new ball in Adelaide.

Bollinger, who made his debut against South Africa in January, enters the second Test against West Indies in terrific form - he took eight wickets for New South Wales against Western Australia last week - and is likely to replace the injured Ben Hilfenhaus.

"I'd like to, I really would," Bollinger said of opening the bowling at the Adelaide Oval when the match gets under way on Friday.

"You can ask Ricky (Ponting) that question. I'd love to but if I don't, I don't. It doesn't bother me.

"I didn't take it (the new ball) in any of the one-dayers (in India) and I think I did pretty well."

The 28-year-old claims he is feeling fit and is moving the ball both ways.

"In Perth I did; I swung the ball really well and Perth was a nice, fast, bouncy wicket so I was pretty happy with that," he said.

"I was swinging the new ball and bowling Irish with the old one so I feel really good at the moment."

Bollinger has toured the West Indies, India and Abu Dhabi with Australia but has often failed to make the team.

While he admitted it has been a frustrating couple of years, he is looking forward to contributing to the Australia cause.

"I'm just going to go out there and really enjoy everyone's company and be happy to put on my baggy green for the second time," he said.

"If I get more opportunities then fantastic. I'd like to do something for myself and my team.

"You do get a little bit frustrated but I'm happy to be in the 12 and happy to be in the environment."

While he is keen to make the most of his opportunities, Bollinger admitted team success rather than personal glory is always his priority.

"It's a hard team to get into because there are so many great players but I think if I start worrying about that my whole game would go out the window," he said.

"I've just got to continue doing what I'm doing and bowling the way I bowl and hopefully everything that happens on the field, the rest will look after itself."