Young quick Albert Esterhuysen in the mix for WA Sheffield Shield debut

Tearaway paceman Albert Esterhuysen is edging closer to a first-class debut after being selected in a 13-man squad for Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval, starting on Wednesday.

The teen is in the mix along with left-armer Liam Haskett, who was 12th man in last week’s opening season shield loss to NSW at the WACA Ground.

One of the pair will replace quick Joel Paris, who injured his hamstring against the Blues and is expected to be sidelined for at least the next five weeks, to partner Cameron Gannon and Matt Kelly, who was impressive with 5-43 in the second innings against the Blues.

All-rounder Aaron Hardie and Sam Fanning have also been named in the squad as a replacement for Cameron Green, who is on ODI duties with Australia set to face India at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

South African-born teen Esterhuysen has taken five wickets in two One Day Cup appearances this season, including the prized scalp of New South Welshman Sam Konstas last week, which came with a lively send-off for the Test opener.

Esterhuysen will travel with the squad and is also expected to play in his third ODC match at Bellerive Oval next Monday.

Left-arm quick Haskett has been working on a remodelled action after he was hindered by a back injury last summer.

The WA pace attack has a new look about it with Lance Morris out of action for the entire summer after back surgery, and Jhye Richardson poised to return to competitive action after a recent return to the nets on his way back from a shoulder injury.

Spinners Ashton Agar and Corey Rocchiccioli have been named in the squad after playing vital roles against NSW.

Hardie’s return would mark his first game in the four-day format for almost 12 months and he put his and up with two wickets and 37 runs in last week’s ODC match against NSW.

Fanning has featured in all three of WA’s ODC matches this season but missed the shield opener.

He was a mainstay at the top of the order for WA last shield season with three half centuries in six matches, including a career-high 95.

WA opened their season with a disappointing 74-run loss to the Blues on a pitch that NSW coach Greg Shipperd said favoured the bowlers over the batters. WA CEO John Stephenson admitted they got it “slightly wrong with the weather”.

Batters Sam Whiteman, Cameron Bancroft, Jayden Goodwin, Hilton Cartwright and Joel Curtis will be looking to make statements after WA were bowled out for under 200 in both innings.

Set 231 to win, WA were all out for 156 after late heroics from Agar and Paris, the latter batting with the aid of a runner, who put on an innings-high 53-run stand for the last wicket.

Tasmania opened their shield season with a draw against Queensland on a batting friendly deck at Allan Border Field with Test aspirant opener Jake Weatherald scoring twin half tons.

WA Squad: Sam Whiteman (C), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Joel Curtis, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Matt Kelly, Corey Rocchiccioli.