Greg Chappell tips Nathan Hauritz for Gabba berth
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 selector Greg Chappell has said that the Australian side may not go into the first Test match at Gabba against England with an all-pace attack. Speaking to an Australian radio station on Thursday, Chappell said that going in with four pace bowlers
in the game will not be a great idea and Nathan Hauritz may be selected as the lone spinner.
Chappell claimed that the selectors had yet to decide on the squad for the first Test match that will be announced on Monday, but this will be a discussion that could dominate their selection meeting. He added, “I'm not convinced that four [pace bowlers] is
better than three. We'll certainly talk about it. It's hard to go in to a Test match without a recognised spinner, I don't care what the conditions are like. You need balance in any conditions.”
The track at Gabba in Brisbane is expected to be a pace-oriented one. In fact, as recently as last week had seen a first class game finish in just under two days with 29 out of the 30 wickets falling to pace bowlers. In an ODI played between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 and Australia,
the visitors were bowled out cheaply for just over 100 as well and the pace bowlers had done all the damage.
However, at the other end of the spectrum is Australia’s decision to not play a specialist spinner in the fifth and the final Ashes Test match in 2009 at Oval. The track turned out to be spinners’ paradise and Graeme Swann, the English off-spinner had a gala
time bowling on it. The Australian selectors had been panned by the experts for going in with no slow bowlers at their disposal.
Hauritz’s poor form has been of much concern though. He had a nasty time in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and picked up six wickets at a poor average of 65 runs per wicket.
However, Chappell said that one needed to overlook that given that not too many spinners have been able to succeed in Test matches in India. Hinting at Hauritz’s selection being almost a done deal, Chappell said, “I know Hauritz did not bowl well in India but
lots of spinners have struggled there against Indian batsmen, who play spin very well. Hauritz should play in the Ashes.”
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