There could barely be better circumstances for a spinner to make their Test debut than against the mediocre West Indies on one of the world’s most spin-friendly decks, at Roseau.
That is the generous scenario which will be presented to Australian leg spinner Fawad Ahmed if he is selected for the first Test starting on Wednesday.
Windsor Park in Dominica is beloved by slow bowlers in the West Indies domestic competitions – and with good reason.
It typically features a parched, dusty strip of turf which offers noticeable turn from day one and variable bounce as the match progresses.
Over the past two Tests at the ground, spin bowlers have run amok, taking 47 wickets, which amounted to a whopping 71 per cent of dismissals.
When Australia last played at Roseau in 2012, spinners dominated. Twenty six wickets were taken by spinners, compared to just twelve for the quicks, despite the fact both teams fielded three specialist fast bowlers.
In an indication of just how amenable the surface was to spin bowling, part time tweakers Michael Clarke, David Warner and Narsingh Deonarine together took nine wickets.
The most recent Test at the ground, two years ago, was even more lopsided in favour of the slow men.
As the Windies thrashed Zimbabwe by an innings, 21 of the 28 wickets for the match were snared by spinners.
By comparison, the venue for the second Test between Australia and the Windies – Sabina Park in Jamaica – has tended to offer far more assistance to the quicks.
The last two Tests at the ground have seen pacemen grab 65 per cent of the wickets to fall.
As a result, Australia probably will be looking at the second Test as a chance to hold a bowl-off between two of their three supporting fast men Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle ahead of the upcoming Ashes.
Ahmed’s opportunity is in Roseau. If Australia are genuinely considering him playing a role in the Ashes then he must be afforded the easiest possible introduction to Tests next week on a perfect pitch against a weak batting line-up.
Given Nathan Lyon’s strong Ashes record of 28 wickets at 31, it seems unlikely Ahmed will be in Australia’s starting XI for the first Ashes Test in July.
If he is to play a part in the Ashes it will likely be because both Lyon and Australia are struggling.
To make your Test debut in such circumstances would be an enormous challenge. Entering the fold at this point would be considerably less difficult had Ahmed already got his debut out of the way in far easier circumstances.
Australia next week are certain to field at least one pace bowling all-rounder in their top six in either Shane Watson or Mitchell Marsh.
So if Ahmed plays at Roseau alongside Lyon the tourists would still have three solid pace options.
Of course, the makeup of the side could be influenced significantly by performances in Australia’s three-day tour match which started on Wednesday.
On day one, the spell I saw from Ahmed was marked by good control and tantalising flight. Given his lack of cricket in recent months, he looked in tidy rhythm.
He deserves a chance to test himself at the highest level next week.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
He'll average under 10 in the ashes.dropped after two tests
mattyb
Guest
If only Tom.This whole banning of donfreo is a disgrace.The editors should check out some of the Carlton threads. Back to cricket,I'm pretty happy for Shaun Marsh and his form over the past 12 months has been sensational in all 3 formats of the game
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Probably because Clarke basically can't bowl any more without risking inflaming his troublesome back. Over the past 3 years, Clarke has only bowled 28 overs from 23 Tests. With an Ashes series looming, followed by back-to-back series against NZ, it would be a shock if he risks bowling against the Windies. He is unlikely to play any significant part with the ball against the Windies.
Ram C. Khanal
Roar Rookie
Why did you completely fail to mention Clarke?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"For me it comes down to the fact that neither Watson nor Marsh are particularly penetrating as third seamers." Neither of them need to be overly penetrating, they are just 5th bowlers, their role is merely to keep things tight while the frontliners rest and pick up the odd wicket here and there.
Nudge
Guest
Yep spot on Ronan. Marsh's first class average in the last 12 to 18 months or so would be over 60. His test average in the last 5 or 6 tests would be close to 50. You always felt that one day marsh would deliver. Since Langer has come in the party boy stuff has gone out and the consistent form has come in. He has so much talent that if he is fair dinkum he could carve out a 4 or 5 year career for himself averaging mid 40's.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I'm not entirely convinced that two spinners is a good option. I suppose these conditions make a genuine case, but if it comes down to a question of Starc or Ahmed, I think Starc should get the opportunity to get his Test career back on track while he's in such amazing form, as he's one of our key future bowling prospects. At the same time Ahmed had an amazing Shield season and thoroughly deserves to be in the side also. For me it comes down to the fact that neither Watson nor Marsh are particularly penetrating as third seamers. It's a very tight call - I don't envy the selectors on this one. But I think, if it was me, I'd be playing three quicks and Lyon, with Ahmed unlucky to miss out and breathing down Lyon's neck. If they play two spinners, the allrounder has to be Watson, a far more useful bowler in difficult conditions such as these. All in all, a very interesting dilemma.
CW
Guest
So do we say the same thing about Siddle. Why then did they pick him? Another, like Watto. who has been dropped and then resurrected. They have given Sids every opportunity to get back in this side. By choosing him in both test squads, okaying a county stint in England and now giving him the nod for this game. I would say they have been very generous indeed to a man who was considered no longer worthy of test cricket not that long ago. On the other hand. The present incumbent Josh Hazlewood was not been allowed to play any cricket leading into this series. Talk about thrown in at the deep end.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Brian he wouldn't be selected "purely on the basis of one warm up innings" - Marsh is the incumbent in the Test side, finished the Shield season in blazing form (706 runs at 64) and has now hit an unbeaten ton for Aus on a day when their batting lineup struggled. As much as I'd like to see Voges get his chance Marsh has earned the right to keep his Test spot.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"Will the selectors agree? Watson is their golden boy remember. He only missed this warm up game because his wife was having a bub." Unfortunately I think Watson will play ahead of M. Marsh, which will be a mistake. Watson wouldn't have been brought on the tour just to warm the bench I don't think.
Brian
Guest
It'll be a disgrace if S. Marsh is selected purely on the basis of one warm up innings where he was dropped on four. Voges has earned his spot through a bucket load of runs over a SS season, as well as a county season. Expect Marsh to average under 30 in England if he plays.
matth
Guest
The other thing for this series is that we need to test Mitchell Starc over the series to see whether his amazing white ball form can translate. So I would definitely play him in the second test and I'd even consider playing him in the first with Hazlewood and give Mitch Johnson more of a rest.
Nudge
Guest
Jameswn, Neville dropped 3 catches in one day in a shield game late last year. Think it was Burns all 3 times. I've never seen Haddin drop 2 catches in a day. It's pretty hard to judge keepers on how they keep unless you watch nearly every game they play. You might see a stunning catch on replay but you might not see the replay of the ones they drop. In England the ball obviously swings a lot and it also wobbles very late. We need our experienced keeper not some one debuting. The thing with Haddin is that although his batting has waned with age the last year or so his keeping has been outstanding.
CW
Guest
You win expert. Two quicks/two spinners and Mitch Marsh it is. Will the selectors agree? Watson is their golden boy remember. He only missed this warm up game because his wife was having a bub.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Can't really expect the batsmen to hit top gear after such a long lay off from red ball cricket. All except Shaun Marsh and Voges were poor. Can guarantee they'll be better for the tests and the Ashes.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Watson hasn't had any red ball bowling in a long time whereas Marsh just bowled 14 overs in this match and did really well. Not to mention Watson's batting has been woeful whenever Test series have actually been alive in recent times, before pumping up his average in dead rubbers.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
On a pitch where spinners have taken 71% of wickets the past two Tests I'd say only playing one spinner and 3 quicks is poor balance. Play both tweakers with Marsh as a 3rd seamer.
CW
Guest
Would not call it overkill to have three quicks. Australia has always based its success on a strong pace bowlin unit. Watson is no longer a potent bowler. Only good these days for a handful of overs. So discount him. I would leave Watto out for Voges. Then we have some part time spin plus a solid middle order.Warner can roll his arm over with some leggies as well. Is Pup not bowling since his back troubles?
eee
Guest
If going by what has been said by pat howard he will debut next week
Josh
Guest
Agree with your call on Fawad, Ronan, but Mitch Marsh's bowling is not good enough for test standard. He was lacklustre in the WC minus to England game, and you say he can reverse it, well thats Watson's greatest strength. Warner Rogers Smith Clarke Watson Marsh Haddin Johnson Hazlewood Lyon Ahmed