The announcement regarding team Australia for the first Ashes Test came as a surprise for many.
Biggest change came in the form of Nathan Hauritz who was axed from the playing eleven of the first Test match. Infact, Xavier Doherty and Steven Smith have been made a part of the squad which has surprised many a fans who are already skeptical regarding
the fate of team Australia next week.
Another player who faced the axe is Mike Hussey, but he has been given another chance. The ton for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Western-Australia-c865 on Friday ensured his presence in the squad for the first Test as this also reinforced the idea that he is still a match winner who can be
handy at times. His inclusion has made the Australian batting line up have some sort of a backup in case of any downfall the batting might suffer against England. Another player who was not sure of his place in the side was Marcus North but the under pressure
batsman was also retained in the team to his delight.
Doherty is almost confirmed to make way into the ground on Thursday as a regular player whereas the other off spinner Smith might just be on the bench and will be useful in the second Test at Adelaide. Doherty is absolutely delighted on being called in for
the first Test. Although the domestic cricket system in Australia is one of the best in the world, yet the inclusion of the Doherty could well prove to be a hasty step leading to an unforeseen error which the Aussies cannot afford.
Nathan Hauritz has rather been unlucky as things have not been easy for him. His failure to impress in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 for the two Test matches proved to be one of the detrimental reasons as far as the Ashes 2010 is concerned. This feeling transformed ahead and he
was only allowed one over in the Sheffield Shield match.
The performance of the young Doherty was better in comparison who claimed two wickets including important one of Simon Katich. The track record of Hauritz over the last 12 months has been pretty impressive but the recent ventures have not proved to be fruitful
at all and hence the change was imperative.
The young spinner has been included to disturb the right handed England batsmen. According to Australian management, the likes of Kevin Pietersen can be hampered through the spinner who has created difficulties for the middle order batsman in the past.
Doherty’s average is around 48.26 in 35 first class encounters but his last season was impressive where he claimed 23 wickets.
Doug Bollinger has also staged a comeback after recovering from stomach injury and hence the pace attack has received a much needed boost. But will all these changes prove to be beneficial for Australia? Will the spinners’ strategy work or fall flat on its
face? Will the Aussies be able to select the right combination for the first Test? Only Thursday can answer our questions.
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