Even though Ryan Harris will be pushing his claims for a Test recall by playing Sheffield Shield for Queensland, it’s unlikely the selectors will risk rushing him back for the opening Test – that is how valuable Harris is to Australia’s attack.
Expect to see ‘Ryano’ charging against India sometime mid-series.
Peter Siddle is under extreme pressure to hold his place for the first Test due to poor returns in the UAE. If ‘Sidds’ doesn’t hit his straps for Victoria in Shield games before Brisbane and one of his rivals hits top form, Siddle may be dropped for the first Test.
It’s more probable that the selectors will show him much-deserved loyalty due his past performances in Australia.
So who of the domestic quicks discussed in part 1 – Josh Hazlewood, Doug Bollinger, Jason Behrendorff, Chadd Sayers and Nathan Coulter-Nile – is likely to feature in creams for Australia this summer?
Hazlewood is at short odds to share the new ball with Mitchell Johnson at the Gabba due to his proficiency of swinging the ball at high velocity. To eliminate risk of the New South Welshman breaking down, Michael Clarke should bowl him in shorter, four-or-five-over spells to allow the debutant to bowl at his peak and get adequate rest.
Expect to see Pup call on Mitchell Marsh, Shane Watson and Steve Smith to provide support to their three-pronged attack when necessary.
Starc can be unpredictable, and it’s unknown which version of the left-arm fast bowler will turn up. Although he has the ability to take wickets, his economy rate of 3.4 is the main concern. Starc’s recent performance of 7/117 for NSW against South Africa has pushed his case to hold his spot, but Starc and Siddle will be fighting it out for the final fast-bowling spot.
South Australia coach Darren Berry has been vocal about his key bowler Sayers getting picked for the Test side, even though Sayers bowls below 140 kph. Sayers’ best chance of making the leap to Test level will be in Adelaide at his home ground. Sayers’ ability to extract movement from batsmen-friendly pitches will tempt the selectors to finally acknowledge the Redbacks star.
Sayers should keep his fingers crossed for Adelaide but channel his energies into replicating Terry Alderman’s magical performances of 1989 against the Poms in the 2015 Ashes.
Coulter-Nile should make his Test debut in Adelaide since Hazlewood has never backed up from a Test before and there is only a four-day turnaround between the first and second Test. The West Australian has a golden opportunity to strengthen his Test claims with a standout performance in the ODIs against South Africa.
Barring a miracle, Bollinger will figure in the Test series at some stage due to the fragility of our pacemen, and the preference of the selectors to use a group of fast bowlers to shoulder the burden across an intense, four-Test series in the hot Aussie summer.
Expect the unexpected from the selectors when it comes to picking our pace attack this summer. There are too many variables that will influence selectors’ picks – performances, injuries, conditions and if Nathan Lyon can prosper on the last day.
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