http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s spin attack - a matter of concern for Kangaroos for at hand Ashes
Ashley Mallett, one of the most successful Test off-spinners of Australia, feels that the prolific English spinner Graeme Swann can be the difference between the two ashes rivals, England and Australia, in the forthcoming Ashes series. Mallett has suggested
the Australian selectors to include Steven Smith in the Ashes squad to provide backup to Nathan Hauritz, who picked up six wickets in the disappointing Test series against Dhoni’s men at a bowling average of 65.
28-year-old off-spinner barely proved himself a threat against the strong batting line-up of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and his bowling to an extremely defensive field on the final day of the series propelled the Australian leg-spin prodigy; Shane Warne aired his frustration
through micro blogging internet site Twitter. In the second innings of Bangalore Test, Hauritz bowled at an economy more than a run a ball. It was also reported by the sources that the skipper Ricky Ponting and the off-spinner had some conflict over the line
the bowler should bowl as well as the field placement.
One of the best performers on the Indian tracks was Ashley Mallett, who had claimed 28 scalps in five Tests played in India, said that Swann’s presence in England’s bowling attack could be one of the factors that would go against the mighty Aussies in the
Ashes that kicks off in Brisbane in the last week of November. Comparing Australia’s recent performance with England’s victorious summer, Mallett feels the England side is going to win the upcoming Ashes series quite easily. Mallett’s prediction is mainly
based on Graeme Swann’s performance.
"They've got a genuine No. 1 spinner, a pretty good attack and they've got a pretty good balance in their batting. They've got to be favourites,” said the veteran Test spinner.
When asked about Nathan Hauritz performance, Mallett said that the Australian had a remarkable temperament but Steven Smith should be there to help him out in the spin attack.
Mallett suggested that Hauritz deserves further Test opportunities but asked the selectors to throw Steven Smith in to the side to provide him (Hauritz) a support. The prolific spinner believes that bringing Steven Smith in as Hauritz’s backup would be a
good continuation of Smith’s transition into five-day game, as the young player would play his game without the pressure of being the lead spinner. Steven Smith made his Test debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in England in July this year.
Hauritz’s two five-wicket hauls in the home series against the turbulent Pakistan side last summer offer the former Australian cricketer a spoon of thought that he might spark on home pitches once again while playing against England in the Ashes series this
summer. Though the traditional Indian tracks are regarded as the perfect pitches to bowl spin, but it is not always as simple as it seems. The skilful left-arm orthodox spinner of Australia Ray Bright also found the Indian tracks difficult to bowl during Australia’s
tour to India in 1986. Bright, who picked up 39 wickets in 25 Test appearances, said that it is not at all easy to bowl in India as the heat and humidity of sub-continent makes it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball properly.
Hauritz will remain in India over the next few weeks to play in the one-day leg of the tour before he returns to Australia to acclimatise back to home conditions ahead of crucial Ashes series. Having scheduled three tour games before the 1st Test,
Strauss’s men would have comparatively more opportunity to warm up.
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