Coulter-Nile ready for Test arena: Langer
WA coach Justin Langer says paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile is ready for Test cricket.
Coulter-Nile starred in WA's comprehensive Sheffield Shield victory over Victoria, taking eight wickets and generating great pace and bounce on a WACA pitch which did very little for an experienced Bushrangers attack.
The 26-year-old is understood to be among a group of fast bowlers who Australian selectors are keeping a close eye on for a possible call-up.
Coulter-Nile, who was a member of the Australian one-day squad that toured India recently and played in the final match, downplayed his chances of wearing the baggy green this summer, but Langer was bullish about the speedster's prospects.
"He is a magnificent athlete," Langer said.
"Depending on how the Australians, the current three, go in Adelaide, back-to-back Tests are always hard, so if they are looking for that extra pace and bounce and that athleticism, he is a brilliant fieldsman and he can also bat.
"He's a great package for any international team."
Langer wasn't surprised by the match-winning performance of Mitchell Johnson at the Gabba.
"He is in the prime of his career," Langer said.
"He is in unbelievable shape so if he gets a bit of confidence and keeps trusting himself then there is no reason why he can't play for the next three or four years doing the same thing."
Langer said it was vital the Australians improved on their domination of England in Brisbane. He warned the flat Adelaide Oval wicket would be more suited to the tourists.
"It is very important that you are always looking to improve and looking to get better," Langer said. "There are still areas they need to improve.
"When you have a win like that it gives you real energy and enthusiasm.
"My advice to any batsman is get ready to cash in because there is no better place in the world to bat than Adelaide Oval and particularly as it is now.
"I would be licking my lips and making sure that if I got a start I would make a big 100."
Langer said despite the sledging between Michael Clarke and James Anderson, "the boys will be having a smile at the end of it and enjoying the fierce nature of Ashes cricket".
