Australia's Nathan Hauritz appeals for the wicket of England's Paul Collingwood during the final day of the first cricket test match between England and Australia in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, July 12, 2009. AP Photo/Tom Hevezi
If Australia are going to return to being a powerhouse of Test match cricket, they must not look past Xavier Doherty and Steve Smith as the long-term spinning options.
Nine spinners have been used then quickly cast aside by Cricket Australia since Shane Warne’s retirement in 2007.
This amount of instability has undoubtedly contributed to Australia’s fall from the top.
The current top teams in Test cricket, India and South Africa, have seasoned spin bowlers in their armories who have proven themselves capable of being match winners.
Both Doherty and Smith have gained some international experience in the one-day and Twenty20 formats.
Even though Doherty’s bowling average is over 40 in Sheffield Shield, he finds himself making his Test match debut in the most anticipated series in years, and on a surface that traditionally favours seam over spin.
If Doherty’s performance in the Ashes is satisfactory, then the Australian selectors must persist with him so that he can gain experience at Test level and more importantly, the confidence that comes with knowing that you belong.
With both Smith and Doherty in the Ashes squad, Australia has a good variety of spin bowlers.
The Australians have Doherty’s left arm orthodox, Smith’s leg breaks, and the part time off-spin provided by Marcus North. Surely between these three there is enough wickets and an economical rate to support the damage caused by the Australian pace attack.
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