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Australian captain Ricky Ponting will name his team for the second Ashes Test against England after their final training session at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
While Mitchell Johnson is believed to have been omitted following his return of 0-170 in the first match at the Gabba, there are also doubts over the place of fellow quick Ben Hilfenhaus, as Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris press for inclusion.
The shuffling of the bowling attack seemed likely from the moment England reached an astounding 1-517 in their second innings in Brisbane. Selectors would be worried that fatigue and form could be telling factors, given the second Test follows only four days after the first concluded.
England meanwhile are expecting more from their off-spinner Graeme Swann after he experienced his quietest Test match for some time, taking two expensive first innings wickets.
However England coach Andy Flower has counselled observers against expecting Swann to dominate in every match he plays.
“To be honest I think some of the expectation heaped on him has been a little over the top,” Flower said.
“He’s had a great couple of years, is it that long he’s even been involved in international cricket?
“He is a very fine bowler and a great competitor but we shouldn’t expect him to take five-wicket hauls all the time.
“His first innings figures, he went at about three an over and got two wickets. In a first innings that is no disaster at all but I think people were viewing it as such.
“I think we should keep our expectations a little lower than they have been recently.
I’m not sure if the expectations affected him. He’s a strong character in his own way.
“He might seem very light-hearted and jovial but at the same time underneath there is a very strong competitor and a very experienced campaigner.
“I think he can handle whatever is thrown at him.”
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