AUSTRALIA will field six batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and four spinners, in the first Test against India. And get away with it. Fourteen doesn’t go into 11, but Simon Katich and Michael Clarke have spent the off-season priming themselves for spin-bowling duties on the subcontinent, tipping team balance a long way in Australia’s favour for the next week’s series opener for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It is no small development because Katich and Clarke also have an enormous amount to offer Australia’s attack for the Ashes series.
Katich, 35, has used the eight-week break since Australia’s Test series against Pakistan to overcome shoulder problems and return to bowling his chinamen regularly in the SCG nets.
“I think more people get enjoyment out of watching me bowl than bat,” Katich said yesterday, laughing.
“I guess there’s normally something happening when I’m bowling. I’m either getting hit for six or burgling a wicket, so I can see why people might think it’s entertaining.
“Seriously, through, the key to the success of this team is having 11 contributors. In the past we could probably get away with the Warnes and McGraths and Pontings winning Test matches almost single-handed.
“But now we need an even spread of contributors. The spinners have a big workload here.
“I was bowling for about three or four weeks before we came over, preparing myself to help out.”
Clarke’s back troubles have made him similarly reluctant to bowl in recent seasons, but Australian coach Tim Nielsen revealed the vice-captain was ready to go if needed.
Having Katich and Clarke – who have best Test returns of 6-65 and 6-9 respectively – alongside specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz and off-spinning batsman Marcus North give Australia a tremendously varied slow attack for the two-Test series against India, the Ashes and the World Cup. (The Herald Sun)