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The prospect of playing two spinners in Pakistan means Australia will be forced to select only one paceman out of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Ashes hero Scott Boland in the three-Test tour.
Test captain Pat Cummins said the team had so many options for the first match of the series which begins next Friday in Rawalpindi with the flexibility that all-rounder Cameron Green provides as a third seamer.
Cummins intends to play all three matches and he said on Friday that it was inevitable with such a talent-laden squad that some deserving players would miss out on the final XI.
“Unfortunately the reality of having a really, really strong squad is a that a couple of people are going to miss out on a good Test match,” he said.
“In terms of the fast bowlers, Scotty Boland’s just had a fantastic summer, Joshy Hazlewood and Starc are superstars so already one of those is going to miss the first Test, you’d expect.
“I think everyone realises there’s going to be some tough calls and there’s not much you can do about it.”
Cummins described Green as a captain’s dream for the balance he brings to the squad and his non-stop effort on the field.
Scott Boland. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“He was fantastic throughout the summer, he’s a captain’s dream as an extra proper bowling option,” he said.
“He’s still young but it’s great having someone like him in the team – if we feel like we are suited to having two spinners in the side for a certain venue, knowing that he can be the third quick bowler, gives us options and confidence.”
If they opt to play a second spinner, they will turn to uncapped leggie Mitch Swepson or left-arm orthodox exponent Ashton Agar, who have each been starved for red-ball cricket in recent seasons.
Cummins was confident either option could do the job.
“Sweppo has spent a lot of time around the Test side so even though he might not have played a lot of red-ball cricket, he’s been bowling lots and lots and lots in the nets,” he said.
“The same for Ash. He’s been playing a lot of international cricket the past couple of years. While it’s a different format, a different feel, I’m really confident, especially in their form, that either of those will be able to slot straight in.”
Mitchell Swepson (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
The Australians had their last training session on home soil at the MCG on Friday morning before flying to Pakistan for the first tour since Mark Taylor’s side won 1-0 in 1998 when the skipper famously scored 334 not out in Peshawar.
They’ve been using a roughed-up pitch to replicate the conditions in Pakistan while Cummins said he would lean on vice-captain Steve Smith and David Warner in particular for tactical advice on tour as they have extensive experience playing on the subcontinent.
Cummins said the team had moved on from the messy exit of coach Justin Langer last month despite former opener Matthew Hayden again voicing his displeasure about the players’ role in the review which led to his old teammate’s departure.
Speaking to The Australian, Hayden said he believed Cricket Australia was “being led around by the players”, calling for those opting out of the limited-overs portion of the tour should face a pay cut.
“When players are choosing not to play for their country it is a massive flag of concern for your high-performance set-up,’’ Hayden said.
“I just don’t reckon it passes the pub test. The single biggest thing which ties everything together at that level is that you are all really keen to play for your country and if you haven’t got that, I actually question whether you have a high performance culture at all.”
Cummins said being on tour away from the mainstream media spotlight meant they can “fully concentrate on the cricket” under interim coach Andrew McDonald.
“It’s only been a couple of days but it has been really seamless so far,” he said when asked about the transition between coaches.
“Andrew has been around the team for a couple of years so everyone knows how he operates and what his expectations are. It has been a great couple of days [in camp].
“I think as much as anything, this Test squad has had a really good Ashes series and we’ve had a month apart and now we’re all just itching to get back together and get stuck in.
“I’m sure JL will be missed but Andrew has slotted straight in.
“There has been no other chat than just being excited to get started.”
>> Check out Australia’s full fixture for the Pakistan tour