Australia v South Africa – 1st Test – Australian bowlers to watch out for [Part 2]
Continued from Part 1 ...
James Pattinson
Despite his tender years, 22-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s upcoming 3-match series against South Africa, due to be played from November 9 to 13 at the Gabba.
Pattinson made an immediate impression during his Test debut against New Zealand at Brisbane in 2011, claiming 5 for 27 and winning the Player of the Match award to boot. He has gone on to be identified as a promising potential pace prospect for Australia, and selectors have rated him highly enough to grant him a central contract.
Since then Pattinson has gone on to play a total of 5 Tests, and already has a total of 26 wickets at an economy rate of 3.35 to his credit. In addition, he has also put in impressive performances for his state side Victoria, and is one of the few players in the Aussie camp who has had steady match practice in the build-up to the approaching series. Pattinson has played a total of 4 matches for Victoria in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2012/13, during which he has 22 wickets to his credit, and will be expected to continue in a similar vein against the South Africans.
Mitchell Starc/Ben Hilfenhaus
Should they opt to play Nathan Lyon, the selectors will most likely be facing a choice between pacers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 (where Starc was representing the Sydney Sixers, and Hilfenhaus was with the Chennai Super Kings), both have proved their worth in the Test arena.
Although he has only played one match for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, during which he claimed 27 wickets in four matches, and was similarly impressive in his most recent showing for Australia, taking 10 during the 3-match series in the Caribbean against the Windies. These factors are bound to weigh heavily on the minds of the selectors if they are forced to make a choice.
Starc, meanwhile, has been equally remarkable. Recently described as “robust” by Australia's pace bowling coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Queensland-c834, during which he claimed 3 scalps), Starc is bound to stay firmly on the selectors' radar for the series against the Proteas.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822
Amid all the hype surrounding the pacers on both camps during the upcoming series, the spinners tend to get lost in the crowd, especially when the series in question is due to be played on the seam-friendly pitches of Australia. However, off-spinner Nathan Lyon has a fair chance of finding himself in the XI for the Test at the Gabba.
With 42 wickets from 13 Tests to his credit, Lyon performed exceptionally well during the home series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 in December last year, claiming a total of 10 scalps during two matches. He was also a steady contributor during the series against India, taking 7 wickets in the three matches he played. Counted as Australia’s primary off-spinner, Lyon is sure to successfully lend a spin element to the attack should selectors choose to name him in the final XI.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: