An Alex Carey century has Australia on the verge of a series-sealing win within the second Test towards South Africa, however accidents have additionally seen consideration flip in the direction of the New Year’s Test.
More particularly, the dialogue has centred round who Australia might name on to switch Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc, with Josh Hazlewood’s potential return solely additional complicating issues.
Hazlewood declared on Thursday that he can be match to play after being dominated out of rivalry for the Boxing Day Test with a side-strain damage.
“At this stage I am,” Hazlewood instructed SEN.
“I’ve got a few more overs to bowl during this game in the nets, I had a good hit out two days ago,” he replied when questioned about enjoying on the SCG subsequent week.
“All the signs are good and I feel ready and fit.”
Whether Hazlewood is the first-choice alternative for Starc is one other query solely, one the fast didn’t essentially have a particular reply for on Wednesday.
“I think I’ll be right,” he laughed when requested if selectors had instructed him he can be picked.
“I haven’t had a chat to them, but before this game I had a good chat with them over a few days and it ended up being my call for the game, so I feel in a good position.”
But News Corp has reported that West Australian paceman Lance Morris is a robust probability of constructing his debut forward of Hazlewood.
“There’s clearly a role there for him (Morris) if Mitchell Starc was to go down,” coach Andrew McDonald instructed SEN on Wednesday morning.
“He may be looking like he’ll get an opportunity in Sydney depending on the balance of that attack.”
Of course, Hazlewood is also provided a reprieve ought to Pat Cummins or Scott Boland be rested.
Otherwise it seems Morris, also referred to as the ‘Wild Thing’, might get an opportunity to shine and Kerry O’Keeffe mentioned he might “definitely” see the temptation to unleash the velocity demon.
“The thing is this Sydney pitch has been dry, not a lot of bounce for the quicker men but it’s his air speed that is the talk of the town,” O’Keeffe instructed Fox Cricket.
“The fact he can get it over 150 kilometres and we saw what Nortje did in this Test, he’s been terrific with his air speed. It’s a slow pitch but he compromised people and that’s what Lance Morris can do. I’m very interested in what they do with the quicker men.
“Starc is out, who is that immediate replacement? They’ll consider Lance Morris above Hazlewood maybe.”
That although is simply the beginning of the complications dealing with the Australian selectors, who may even want to determine who one of the best alternative is for Green.
Mitchell Swepson and Michael Neser are each potential choices, whereas O’Keeffe believes Todd Murphy and even all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who Ricky Ponting described as a “smoky”, will come into consideration.
“You would think it would be like-for-like where upon Aaron Hardie, the impressive young West Australian all-rounder comes into the thinking,” O’Keeffe instructed Fox Cricket.
“There’s a whisper they’re going to play a second spinner who can bat a little bit so if you look at that scenario, someone like Ashton Agar is an option with Carey pushing up to bat six and Agar at seven. That’s in contention. It means Agar jumps over the top of Mitchell Swepson and the second best spinner in the country, who is also an off-spinner, in Todd Murphy.”
Coach McDonald mentioned as a lot earlier in week, suggesting the SCG pitch might play a big position in figuring out which route Australia goes. Although McDonald additionally certified it might not essentially be the “next best spinner” picked.
“We always look to complement the attack,” he mentioned.
“A second spin role is also there to make sure you’ve got balance within the attack.”
While O’Keeffe mentioned he’s a “fan” of Swepson, he added that he doesn’t essentially assume he can be the best choice ought to Australia go for a second spinner for the SCG.
“I just think precision is not his friend and the best spinners on slow turners are those that are precise,” O’Keeffe mentioned.
“He bowls wicket-taking balls but it’s his lack of consistency that hurts him. Whether they’ll back him to take five wicket-taking balls in a spell of 20 overs, they might. But I hence they’re looking for more batting as well, hence they may look elsewhere.”
Originally revealed as Hazlewood twist provides to SCG choice chaos as Aussies face large calls
