The Australian teaching employees have defended their resolution to not take a frontline spinner in to the fourth Test in Manchester regardless of a possible damage blow to Mitchell Starc and a nightmare second day.
More than 48 hours after the Australians revealed they’d axed Todd Murphy, Australian legend Ricky Ponting remained baffled by the choice as part-timers Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne mixed for simply seven overs, which went for 51 runs, as England assumed management.
But Australian coach Andrew McDonald insisted the deserves of the transfer have been but to be seen with rain forecast for day 4 and Starc’s shoulder concern performed down.
“We felt like on this surface, against this opponent, that spin wouldn’t play a huge part and we’re yet to see that,” McDonald instructed the BBC.
“I know Moeen took a wicket in the first innings, but we‘ll never know what it would’ve looked like with a spinner today.
“We went with a different attack and we’ve got to focus on the bowlers we’ve got.”
“I think the pitch will start to play up. We’re a little bit behind at the moment to consider that and what it may look like to bowl on last,” McDonald stated.
His assistant coach, former New Zealand spinner Dan Vettori, stated it was too early to guage if Australia‘s call to drop Murphy, who bowled just 9.3 overs in two innings in the third Test at Headingley, was the wrong one.
“With the thoughts on the wicket and with potential weather conditions around, we potentially thought the Test match would be of a shorter nature,” Vettori said.
“And also the way England play, how aggressive they are, it can shorten the game up a bit.
“It‘s a selector’s name, but it surely’s one of many ones we’ll choose on the finish of the Test match, not two days in.”
Vettori was assured Starc, who injured his shoulder within the discipline late within the day at Old Trafford, could be able to bowl on day three.
“He‘s currently got some ice on it and we’re pretty confident it will be right tomorrow,” Vettori stated.
“He‘s just one of those guys who doesn’t like to spend too long off the park. He just wanted to get on the field as quickly as possible to see how it was.
“But he got straight into a hot spot and three balls in a row came to him in the field and he didn’t quite feel comfortable throwing it – I haven‘t actually spoken to him, but that’s what it looked like.
“I think he felt confident that he could bowl just from his warm-up balls. When he was put to the test (in the field) three balls in a row, he just didn‘t quite feel right throwing it in so that led to him jumping back off.”
Source: www.news.com.au
