Not one, however two Western Australians may come into the body for Test debuts on the Sydney Cricket Ground, with gifted all-rounder Aaron Hardie thrust ahead as a possible substitute for Cam Green.
Australia is grappling with finger accidents to Green and front-line fast Mitchell Starc on day three of the Melbourne Test, with each anticipated to bat once more throughout this match.
The incumbent WA all-rounder was struck on the finger by a vicious Anrich Nortje bouncer late on day two and retired damage with blood pouring from his hand.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald has dominated Green out of bowling within the second innings, after claiming a maiden Test five-wicket haul on day one, and confirmed he has a fracture in his index finger.
“He’s got a small fracture to that index finger, so bowling looks not a possibility, but potentially come back on for batting,” he informed SEN earlier than play.
With tearaway fast Lance Morris firming as a substitute for Starc in Sydney, former Test captain Ricky Ponting has thrown Hardie up as the following greatest all-rounder choice.
“This number six position in the batting order is an interesting one isn’t it? Do they go like for like? You talk about like for like with Lance Morris and Mitchell Starc. The most recognisable like for like I can think of for Cam Green’s replacement for Sydney is someone like Aaron Hardie,” Ponting informed Channel 7.
“Another Western Australian all-rounder. Very talented youngster, we’ve seen him make his mark on the shorter forms of the games so far, more so than anything else.
“He did get 100 in the Shield final last year and can bowl some handy overs. Bit of a smokey there, but I’m happy to throw it out there.”
Fellow WA all-rounder Hilton Cartwright additionally debuted on the venue towards Pakistan in 2017.
McDonald flagged medical employees will determine towards sending Starc for surgical procedure on the tendon harm, as an alternative letting it get well in a splint forward of February’s tour of India.
“I’m not sure on that at the moment, there hasn’t been any talk of an operation, so it looks like that may be a splint to get that fully-healed over time,” he stated.
Morris, who bolted in as cowl for Pat Cummins when he was injured in Adelaide earlier this summer season, is “clearly” within the combine to interchange Starc in Sydney as probably the most like-for-like substitute by way of tempo.
“We see Lance Morris added to the squad, there’s clearly a role there for him if Mitchell Starc was to go down, so he might be looking like getting an opportunity in Sydney, depending on the balance of that attack,” McDonald stated.
But it could possibly be spinners, somewhat than recovering seamer Josh Hazlewood and long-time reserve Michael Neser, Morris is battling with for a spot.
Australia hasn’t picked a second spinner for a Sydney Test since Steve O’Keefe in 2017, however the looming tour of India and a forecast dry wicket on the SCG may imply they pull the set off.
That may deliver one other WA all-rounder, Ashton Agar, into the body, alongside four-Test leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson and Victorian teenager Todd Murphy.
“At the moment, I think there’s a bit of information that suggests it will be a drier surface in Sydney, so you could see a spinner added over the next few days,” McDonald stated.
“We always try to complement the attack, so it won’t necessarily be the next best spinner, the second spinner role is also there to make sure you’ve got balance in the attack.”
