Australia will be boosted by the return of bowling all-rounder James Faulkner for their must-win game against West Indies.
Faulkner has become public enemy number one in the West Indies camp, after stating he does not “particularly like” the West Indian team.
This is not the first time Faulkner has gone after the West Indies. In the one day international series in Australia 12 months ago, he was fined 10 per cent of his match fee for giving Chris Gayle a verbal spray after dismissing him.
Brad Haddin is also another player who has given Gayle a bit of stick. The wicketkeeper-batsman was dismissed by Gayle in last year’s Big Bash and stated afterwards, “disappointing to get out then, I was feeling pretty good but at least the Thunder fans have seen Chris Gayle do something for his money.”
Despite all the banter, the concern for Australia is in their last three outings against the West Indies they have conceded over 190 runs on each occasion.
Two bowlers that have played in those matches, Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson, are certainties to line-up again but doubts remains as to who Faulkner will replace.
A like-for-like replacement would mean Nathan Coulter-Nile would make way, as both are considered a hard-hitting bowling all-rounders, but if Coulter-Nile is replaced, the Australian pace attack would consist of three left-armers. With captain George Bailey preferring to choose bowlers that take the ball away from right-handers, would Australia gamble on the three?
One other dilemma Australia has is whether to replace veteran spinner Brad Hogg with rookie leggie James Muirhead. It could be wise, given six of the seven West Indian batsmen are right-handed and suffered against Indian leg spinner Amit Mishra.
Haddin seemed to suggest in a recent press conference Australia is likely to stick with the veteran campaigner, meaning Coulter-Nile will be the unlucky man to make way for Faulkner.
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