A dry Manuka Oval deck means the Sheffield Shield final could be decided by the battle between Test spinner Nathan Lyon and rising tweaker Ashton Agar, says Western Australia Justin Langer.
NSW and WA are back in Canberra for the five-day final from Friday just one week after the Blues secured hosting rights with a nail-biting three-wicket victory at the same ground.
It’s WA’s first final in 15 years, while NSW have won three and lost two since 2002-03.
Langer had a good look at the pitch on Thursday and said it was a lot drier and had less grass on it than it did before their previous match.
“From what we saw last week … it’s definitely going to spin,” Langer said.
That throws big responsibility onto NSW spinners Lyon and Stephen O’Keefe and their WA counterparts, 20-year-old Agar and part-timer Marcus North.
Langer wasn’t playing down his high opinion of Agar, still far better known to the wider public for his 98 runs as a No.11 batsman on debut in England last year than his bowling feats.
The WA coach described him on Thursday as “the most exciting young talent in Australia.”
But he was wary of the threat from Lyon.
“He (Lyon) is the current Australian off-spinner, he’s had a fantastic couple of years,” said Langer.
“With our left-armers, there is going to be some rough there for him to bowl into.”
One fast left-armer who won’t be returning to Manuka Oval this week is leading NSW paceman Doug Bollinger, called up to Australia’s squad for the World T20 in Bangladesh.
Langer admitted that was some relief after Bollinger was responsible for two WA batting collapses last week with some devastating pace and swing.
“We weren’t too upset not to see him here,” Langer said.
Bollinger will likely be replaced by Trent Copeland or Gurinder Sandhu, while Australian Test squad member Moises Henriques is set to return for the Blues.
Henriques has missed three Shield finals since his first class debut in 2006 – one through injury, one as 12th man and one through non-selection – and ranks this as the most important game of his career.
While NSW only need a draw to win the Shield, they have declared they’ll go on the attack and allrounder Henriques didn’t expect it to go the five days.
“I’d be very surprised to see a draw. A lot is going to come down to the toss and how the wicket plays,” he said.
While NSW won outright last week, Langer said his side took great confidence from their fightback after being dismissed for 82 in the first innings.
The momentum is arguably in his side’s favour, as Shaun Marsh bounced back from three straight ducks to put on a gritty 113 in the second innings while veteran North enters the match on a high after winning the Shield player the year award on Wednesday.
WA’s Mitchell Marsh is set to overcome a side-strain, however it’s believed he’ll only be used as a specialist batsman.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Coulter-Nile would have been pretty handy too. I'd rate Behrendorff above NCN though in FC.
Tom from Perth
Guest
What???
Lolly
Guest
Same here. He's walking it this season.
SCC
Guest
http://live.cricket.com.au/Event/Bupa_Sheffield_Shield_final_2 Match can be viewed live here
SCC
Guest
To all you NSWers, WA's lineup is also depleted in the bowling stocks. Think what WA could do with Coulter-Nile and Johnson playing, then Mitch Marsh being able to bowl...
Bearfax
Guest
And patience Aransan at the beginning of his innings. If he gets beyond 20 he seems to stick around. Big chance for him to prove himself
Aransan
Guest
I am expecting a very good match from S. Marsh. If all the criticism of the past month or so doesn't fire him up nothing will. Perhaps he just needs some more mongrel to get him going.
jameswm
Guest
You might
Bearfax
Guest
oops Maddinson out for 14. There goes the game.
Bearfax
Guest
If O'Keefe and Maddinson click, NSW should win. Carters and Smith will do the rest
formeropenside
Guest
Agar's bowling has been pretty underwhelming.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
I think O"Keefe will be more of a key than either of those 2 guys. 40 wickets at 20 says he is the most dangerous bowler there. If only NSW captain doesnt underbowl him again with Lyon there
jameswm
Guest
Hang on, now Nevill is listed int he squad. So maybe more like this - teams stil not announced 1. NJ Maddinson 2. RGL Carters † 3. SPD Smith* 4. KR Patterson 5. BJ Rohrer 6. MC Henriques 7. Nevill 8. SNJ O’Keefe 9. TA Copeland or GS Sandhu or Abbott 10. JR Hazlewood 11. NM Lyon
Dave
Guest
And I would have Copeland ahead of Starc in FC cricket.
Dave
Guest
Nev is playing, Abbott 12th man
jameswm
Guest
WA look something like this - Mitch Johno the big name missing. 1. CT Bancroft 2. MS Harris 3. MJ North 4. SE Marsh 5. AC Voges*, 6. MR Marsh 7. SM Whiteman† 8. AC Agar 9. NJ Rimmington 10. JP Behrendorff 11. MG Hogan RM Duffield, S Mackin, AJ Turner,
jameswm
Guest
I'd love to see a bit of Agar bowling, to see if he's getting more work and topspin on the ball. Hat's what he needs. That, plus landing it consistently in the right spot. Is this being televised anywhere? NSW are set to line up like this - no PNevill? 1. NJ Maddinson 2. RGL Carters † 3. SPD Smith* 4. KR Patterson 5. BJ Rohrer 6. MC Henriques 7. SA Abbott or GS Sandhu 8. SNJ O'Keefe 9. TA Copeland or GS Sandhu 10. JR Hazlewood 11. NM Lyon 5-6 bowlers, surely a batsman short, esp for a home Shield final (where you just have to draw). Having said that, Abbott, SOK and Copeland can really bat. Sandhu, Lyon and Hazlewood aren't bunnies. With no Sandhu, the bowling has only one opener Hazlewood Abbott Copeland Lyon SOK Henriques NSW are missing Clarke (inj), Warner (T20), Starc (T20), Bollinger (T20), Watson (T20, if he's still nominally NSW), Cummins (inj), anyone else? Could look like this: 1. Warner 2. Carters 3. Watson 4. Clarke 5. Smith 6. Maddinson/Henriques 7. SOK 8. Starc 9. Hazlewood 10. Lyon 11. Bollinger With a bowling lineup of Starc Hazlewood Bollinger Watson Lyon SOK
Eagle Eye
Guest
I really hope NSW back Copeland ahead of Sandhu, purely because of his experience and ability to bowl long, tight spells, he also adds to the batting and fielding, where Sandhu is not great in the field. Sandhu has not played Shield cricket since early December, then hasn't really been a standout in Futures League matches either, so pretty simple choice I would have thought. Why hasn't Sandhu been playing Shield if they think he can now play in a 5 day final?? I also don't get how Abbott has overtaken Copeland in FC cricket, although I gather he is the next 'anointed' one by CA. Come to think of it, Hazlewood only had 9 FC wickets before last weeks' match, taking 7, so he too is appearing to be very fortunate. My other concern is which one of Hazlewood, Sandhu or Abbot, should they go that way, can bowl 20 overs in a day, then back it up 2 days later and not become the next Pat Cummins story (see last Shield final NSW played in). Young men bowling 40+ overs isn't ideal for their longevity. Hope the NSW boys win in a good contest.