Hauritz surprisingly axed from first Test, Bollinger called back
The upcoming Ashes series was touted as the battleground for two of the best off-spinners spinners England’s Grame Swann and Australia’s Nathan Hauritz, with cricket pundits saying that whoever shines will lead his side to glory.
Much hype was created as to who will get one better over his rival but Australia’s recent step of excluding Nathan Huaritz from the first Test squad puts them on the back foot. It is beyond imagination why Aussie selectors have done so
because it clearly sends a negative impression to their opponents and fans.
One must be wondering if he wasn’t the key bowler for The Ashes series then why didn’t the selectors give other bowlers match practice?
Nathan Hauritz has been Australia’s top spinner for the last one and a half year and now suddenly he finds himself out of the team. This decision would have certainly dented his confidence and his focus must have shifted from being the
leading bowler to a player struggling to keep his place on the side.
Australia’s cricketers have set an example for others to follow in the last decade or so but now suddenly they have changed. The mighty Aussies have been at the receiving end for the good part of this year, which has brought criticism for
Ricky Ponting and his team. Even the captain himself is under severe pressure because if he doesn’t perform well then The Ashes would certainly be his last series.
The exclusion of Hauritz will give an edge to England mentally because they would take it as a positive point for themselves. Now the way is clear for Graeme Swann to further enhance his reputation as the best off-spinner in the World.
Where as Hauritz will have to start from scratch and cope with the pressure of being snubbed.
The off spinner has been has been left out and has been replaced by the spin duo of Steven Smith and Xavier Doherty. One of the spinners will certainly play a big part in the first Test which begins on Thursday. But Smith, who is a little
raw, might have to wait for a little while as Doherty has come in the team after a string of strong performances.
Meanwhile, Smith can get a nod in the second Test probably. But there is some good news for Australians because selectors have kept their faith in senior member of the side, Michael Hussey, after his century for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Western-Australia-c865. Marcus
North can count himself lucky as he too has been retained in the side.
Left arm quickie Doug Bollinger has recovered from his abdominal injury, which forced him to miss the second Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and now has been recalled back into the team. But his place is not guaranteed for the first Test and he will
have to vie with the likes of Ben Hilfenhuas, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle for a place in the final eleven.
But one thing is clear for now, Australia has become a one dimensional attack pre-dominantly and will be looking towards their pace battery to provide some relief after being in a storm of criticism.
The other thing that is alarming for England is the fact that having four fast bowlers Australia can prepare a fast bowling track in order to minimize the Swann factor because Aussies are good at playing mind games.
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