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As the tour against Pakistan approaches, Australia must find another spinner to partner Nathan Lyon on the dustbowls of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Since the retirement of the legendary Shane Warne, Australia have tried numerous spin bowlers with limited success, albeit opportunities have not been granted for very long.
Lyon broke the trend of unsuccessful spinners, now accumulating 112 wickets to his name at an average of 32.99 in 33 Tests.
These are phenomenal statistics for a spinner, especially during the trying times of T20 cricket, bigger bats, smaller boundaries and increasingly aggressive batsmen.
However, Lyon cannot do the job by himself against Pakistan. As much as the wily off-spinner has done well during his short time in the Test arena, he has often been the supporting act to the pace of Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and co.
The problem for Australian selectors is to decide whom to actually take on tour, as Australian cricket has not been exactly brimming with talent at the first class level.
The most obvious option, based on statistics, is New South Welshman Stephen O’Keefe. The left arm ‘offie’ has now taken 126 wickets in 40 first class games, at a fantastic average of 24.83.
However, with a return from injury and a lack of a full Shield season under his belt, O’Keefe has not been in the sights of the selectors in a while.
Another wildcard would be Fawad Ahmed. Growing up in Pakistan, he would be acquainted with the conditions of Dubai as they would be similar to those in Abbottabad.
He has been in the selectors eyes recently, and his six wickets against Western Australia earlier in the season had him vying for an Ashes berth.
Another option from Victoria’s strong spin stocks is fellow ‘leggie’ James Muirhead.
Muirhead, who has already been given a T20 debut for Australia, has impressed the selectors with the major spin he applies on the ball, and how consistently he can land the ball for such a young leg-spinner.
However, he has yet to impress in the Bupa Sheffield Shield, with going wicketless in his only Shield appearance this season.
Ashton Agar is also another option. His Ashes debut this year proved one of the greatest innings ever seen from a number 11. The youngster was unlucky not to score a century on debut as he hooked Stuart Broad to deep mid wicket on 98.
However, apart from Agar’s batting prowess, he did not show much with the ball and was not particularly threatening to the Englishmen.
There is one spinner who looks as though he may get another shot in the baggy green though.
And he’s setting the IPL alight.
Glenn Maxwell, who currently is being recognised for his outrageous scoring during IPL 7 for Kings XI Punjab, is one option that the selectors may take to partner Nathan Lyon.
Maxwell bowled extremely well throughout the recent One Day Series against England, as they were unable to get him away, and picking up handy wickets along the way.
As much as he would be a safe option to partner Lyon with, Maxwell has also been in incredible form with the bat.
The innings that he has produced for Kings XI has shown what a class act he is with the bat, and will provide just more batting depth for the Australians.
With Michael Clarke’s handy off-spinners and Steve Smith’s leg-breaks, Maxwell could provide the perfect role for Michael Clarke against Pakistan. He would provide Nathan Lyon with handy support.
The selectors do have their hands full though, with Ryan Harris announcing he was in doubt to play against Pakistan in October.
Come October, a new spin bowler will be introduced to the Australian Test team.
The question is, who is it going to be?
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