Australia in SA
All-seam for spinless Aussies?
2009-02-24 09:13
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Jaco van der Merwe - Volksbald
Johannesburg - The Australian cricket side is sitting with an enormous headache. In the days before the retirement of Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg, it would have been almost unthinkable for Australia to enter a Test without a specialist spinner.
However, a team without a specialist spinner might be a reality come the first Test against South Africa, which starts at the Wanderers on Thursday.
The Aussie selectors have to decide whether they will use of their two spinners or enter the Test with four pace bowlers.
Their so-called secret weapon, legspinner Bryce McGain, was no more than cannon fodder in the warm-up game in Potchefstroom.
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz also struggled against South Africa in Australia.
Should they take on South Africa without a spinner, pacemen Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus may take on the Proteas with Michael Clarke and Marcus North used as part-time spinners.
Gordon Parsons, coach of the Presidents XI that played the Aussies in Potchefstroom, said the visitors could not risk a spinner at the Wanderers.
“I will be prepared to bet with my life that they will pick four pacemen. Not even Warne could bowl us out at the Wanderers because it is traditionally not a wicket that is kind to spinners,” he said.
“I feel sorry for McGain because things did not go well in Potchefstroom. It’s not a place where spinners enjoy bowling and I think the field placings were poor for him. Four pacemen will give them a chance of capturing 20 wickets in a test.
“If that is the case, Clarke and North will be used as part-time spinners. Not that their selectors can read much into North’s 6/69 in the second innings in Potch. Our batsmen gave their wickets away on a platter.
“I still think North did enough to be included ahead of Andrew McDonald. North is a polished batsman.”
South African coach Mickey Arthur warned the Aussies against playing without a spinner.
“They will take a huge risk by picking four pacemen and two part-time spinners. It can cost them big time.”
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