Sydney, Sept.13 : Young New South Wales spinner Beau Casson, who was Australia's top spinner for the West Indies tour, is reportedly distraught over his omission from the national squad that is to tour India from next month.

Casson, the only CA-contracted spin specialist, was too upset to talk yesterday but told his state coach, Matthew Mott, that he was determined to fight his way back.

There was no suggestion that Casson's groin injury played any part in his snubbing, as he told Mott he could play next week if necessary.

Casson also sought the advice of NSW captain Simon Katich, who forced his way back into the Test arena for the Caribbean tour after it seemed his international career had stalled two years earlier.

A bewildered Mott told the Sydney Morning Herald after speaking with Casson: "It's a very hard pill to swallow. He didn't presume anything but everything was telling us he'd be in the squad. He would be inhuman if he weren't upset."

"The feedback from everyone has been that he has done very well, so I don't know what has transpired. It is a bit hard for him to comprehend. It's not as though he played his way out of the side, he had one Test, he was given an opportunity and seemed to grasp it pretty well."

Mott added that McGain was a deserving tourist based on his impressive performances in last year's shield competition but, like many, wondered whether he presented a stop-gap solution to Australia's obvious spin woes.

Even McGain was willing to joke about his selection.

"He [Casson] is a good young spinner and there are a lot of years ahead of him. If they are picking me at 36 he's got 11 years to catch me," McGain said.

Casson has struggled with self-confidence in the past but Mott said he was "very philosophical" about his omission.

"In the past he has got a bit down over these sorts of things. He is not kicking cans around and that is a good sign for Beau, it's certainly an area he has improved in," Mott said.

"There is no point dwelling on it too much. He has already come to terms with it, while he doesn't agree with the decision he sees this as a minor setback. You don't have to be Einstein to realise that Bryce won't be there forever because of his age. He had a good chat to Kat, he is quite inspired by the way Kat came back into the side," Mott said.

ANI