So shouldn't they have come into this test with a spinning option then? - A proper spinning option that is. Unless of course they were hoping it would stay overcast for the whole duration of the test match.
Personally I honestly can't see the logic in picking four quicks when you have Shane Watson in your team, he's basically rendered useless as an all-rounder. Which is quite a shame because he's a more then decent bowler, especially when conditions favour him.
Well on Watson. As i mentioned before on this site. His role as the 4th seamer based on evidence this year needs to be looked at.
I'm not sure if AUS can depend on him like how South Africa depends on Kallis to be consistent 4th seamer who will always give us 20+ over a day if needed. We saw him break down in NZ, IND & when ENG piled on the runs in Brisbane & Adelaide he didn't bowl his fare share of overs. Thats very alarming & its a problem with Watto bowling that people dont acknowledge.
Some days one of the 3-main quicks will have an off-day & wont bowl as well as Hilfy/Harris/Johnson did @ Perth last week. This is where you need the 4th one to pick up the slack & if on one of those off days Watto is having one of those stiff days with the ball, AUS will be even more trouble. Which is why the security of a 4th main quick is needed & can be used constantly if S Smith is in.
Thats why i say Watto role with the ball in tests needs to be looked @ as a "luxury" option seamer. Just like what S & M Waugh was for Mark Taylor during the mid 90s. Not one of 4-main bowlers, if he is going to keep breaking down like that.
AUS dont have a proper "spin option" as you may term it. If it is as i presume you dont believe Smith is test standard with the ball.
Plus what makes you so confident that if the pitch wears/turns @ MCG & SCG like it did at adelaide that any one of Hauritz, O'Keefe, Beer, Holland will be good enough to exploit the conditions?.
I dont. Thus with the constact failing on spinners picked over the last two years to bowl well on flat pitches & wearing 4th/5th day pitches. The 4-man attack should be given a chance in MCG to see if they can win AUS a test match in those conditions, before any talk of a spinner is mentioned again for this Ashes & in the future.
Since contrary to common opinion its very possible for an all-pace attack win you tests on flat wicket. But given AUS have been skittled for 98, even if such an attack can restrict ENG, AUS may still lose this test.
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The problem is those "performances" have come over the space of about 18 months and 15 odd games. He has a decent first class batting record but most of those runs came late last season, for all we know it was just a period of some rather good form and not the real Steve Smith.
Could be, which is why as i mentioned i wasn't totally convinced that he is ready for test after is saw him in international cricket this year & why i would have picked D Hussey for the Perth test.
But obviosly the selectors are looking @ it from the opposite side of the coin & as i said are backing that early talent shown in the strongest FC competition in the world, which i can understand although im not 100% convinced by it.
