Ashton Agar is assured a spot on subsequent month’s tour of India, however Australia are not any certainty to play two frontline spinners all through the four-Test collection.
Agar endured a tough return to Test cricket after 5 years out in Sydney, bowling 22 wicketless overs as Australia failed of their bid to power a win in opposition to South Africa.
Captain Pat Cummins insisted afterwards on Sunday that the match was not an audition for India, significantly given the floor didn’t break up as anticipated after prolonged rain delays.
Australia will title their squad for the tour this week, with Agar anticipated to be one in every of 4 spinners alongside Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Mitchell Swepson or Adam Zampa.
“I’m sure Ash will be there,” Cummins stated.
“This wicket was a bit different to India. It wasn’t spinning out of the middle of the wicket.
“Indian wickets generally actually break up, even from the center of the wicket. And left-arm orthodox turns into actually efficient in opposition to right-handed batters.
“It was 800 runs (for the game) and three wickets for spin for the game (in Sydney). It wasn’t easy but I thought he bowled really well.”
Agar’s choice in Sydney indicated he had grow to be the nation’s second spinner forward of Swepson, who debuted in Pakistan final yr.
Australia performed two spinners all through their 2017 collection loss in India, with Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon every taking 19 wickets.
But the emergence of Travis Head alongside Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne might change that considering.
Cummins admitted he had under-bowled Head on the SCG, with the offspinner Australia’s most threatening at instances.
Australia performed three pacemen all through their final collection win in India in 2004, with a heavy reliance on reverse swing.
“Each game in India we might need to chop up differently. Maybe one game it is three quicks, another it is one quick,” Cummins stated.
Cameron Green might be essential to that as pace-bowling backup, with each he and Mitchell Starc hopeful to be again from fractured fingers by the second Test in Delhi.
Australia are adamant they’ve the absolute best construct as much as the four-Test collection beginning on February 9 in Nagpur, after a 1-0 collection win in Pakistan final yr and 1-1 attract Sri Lanka.
“We’re as good a chance as we’re ever going to be,” Cummins stated.
“No-one’s going over there blind … having the experience in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year has put us in really good stead.
“It’s been one other unbelievable summer season. This bowling assault, weathering the storm on the Gabba, then the MCG after which coming right here (to the SCG), it is totally different once more.
“The way our batting group have stood up has been fantastic.
“Other than this recreation within the shortened time-frame, we have been capable of get 20 wickets every Test match in numerous circumstances. I really feel like we’re adapting very well.”
