Arthur hints at retaining bowling attack for SCG Test
December 31st, 2011 - 12:30 pm ICT by IANSSydney, Dec 31 (IANS) Australia coach Mickey Arthur has hinted at retaining the same bowling attack for the second Test against India starting Jan 3 here at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Fit-again pacer Ryan Harris, who was selected in the 12-member squad, has little chance of playing in the New Year’s Test as Arthur is likely to go ahead with three pacers, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle, and lone spinner Nathan Lyon.
The new Cricket Australia (CA) administration has vowed to rest fast bowlers to avoid injuries, but Arthur, who is also part of the five-man selection panel, said that with an extra day’s rest, there was nothing to fear about.
“It (rotation) is something we’ll have to look at…but in saying that we’ve given ourselves an extra day off now…and the guys are owning their positions, making it really difficult for guys to get back in, which is a fantastic position to be in,” said Arthur.
“But we’ve given ourselves an extra day off now, which was unbargained for, and the guys are owning their positions, making it really difficult for guys to get back in, which is a fantastic position to be in,” the South African was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Arthur indicated his strong preference was to play a spinner at the SCG. Australia’s 122-run win in the first Test was built on the sustained hostility of its pace attack but off-spinner Lyon held his nerve against India’s experienced batsmen and maintained pressure despite just one wicket to show for it.
“I have been impressed with Nathan Lyon all the time. He’s such a good, bubbly character, and he’s a hell of a bowler who will get better and better, so I was certainly not disappointed by any of his stuff,” he said.
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- Australian bowling attack can be world's best: Arthur - Dec 31, 2011
- Forrest, Wade in Australia's Test squad; Haddin retained - Mar 14, 2012
- Australia retain squad for Adelaide Test - Jan 17, 2012
- Bowling to Indians a great challenge, says Lyon - Jan 22, 2012
- Australia bat in fourth Test - Jan 24, 2012
- All-pace attack can backfire: Siddle - Dec 30, 2011
- Lyon becomes international off-spinner from a groundsman - Jul 26, 2011
- Back injury may force Pattinson to miss remainder of series - Apr 19, 2012
- McGrath warns India against Australian quicks; backs Ponting - Dec 20, 2011
- Ex-Aussie cricketers slam selectors for ignoring 'in-form' Hauritz - Dec 12, 2010
- Sehwag will inject some life in Indian team: Akram - Jan 23, 2012
Tags: cricket australia, first test, hostility, james pattinson, little chance, lyon, member squad, mickey, morning herald, pace attack, pacer, pacers, ryan harris, second test, selection panel, siddle, spinner, sydney cricket ground, sydney morning herald, wicket