Published: Feb 27, 2013, 02:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 27, 2013, 02:36 PM (IST)
Apart from Xavier Doherty, Mickey Arthur also has the option of including young Ashto Agar © Getty Images
Hyderabad: Feb 27, 2013
Australian coach Mickey Arthur felt the team needs to have two spinners in the playing XI. He has hinted at including left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty along with Nathan Lyon going into the Hyderabad Test.
“We didn’t get a massive return from spin in this game. Looking at the way it ended up probably two spinners (would have worked better). But our quicks were the most likely out there, so I am not sure which way really.”
In contrast to India’s three-pronged spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin (12 wickets) in the Chennai Test, Australia’s bowling line-up included three pacers and one spinner excluding Moises Henriques who was effective with his medium pace.
An extra spinner would mean either five specialist bowlers or dropping one seamer, but Arthur said their team combination is still a dilemma. “That’s going to be the million-dollar question. It’s easy in hindsight having a look at how the wicket ended up. You probably would have liked two spinners on there. However our quicks took most wickets (eight to pace and four to spin),” he said.
England used two spinners in the form of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann who claimed 37 wickets together during the recent series against India which they won 2-1. “England’s ploy was to use Panesar early and turn to the offspinner late in the match. Ideally you want both, and I did a lot of looking at the England series and they used Panesar a lot,” Arthur was quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.
“But when the wickets start breaking up, your offspinner to the right-handers becomes dangerous because you’ve got to keep playing him all the time. Ideally, it would be nice to have the pigeon pair,” he added.
Apart from Lyon and Doherty Australia have another spin option in the form of Ashton Agar who has played just three first class games but proved handy during the two warm-up matches they played before the first Test.
