Legspinner Bryce McGain and offspinner Jason Krejza will be competing for the specialist spinners' spot in Australia's line-up after coach Tim Nielsen indicated they are likely to field three fast bowlers and a spinner for the Tests.
Australia's attack during their previous Test series, against West Indies earlier this year, comprised Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, and Stuart MacGill in the first two Tests, while Beau Casson replaced the legspinner for the final match. The spinners in the current squad, McGain and Krejza, haven't played a Test yet.
"I think we did a pretty reasonable job in the West Indies playing on low, flat, pretty slow wickets that spun late in the game, especially the first two Tests, with three quicks and a spinner," Nielsen said. "So I'd expect that's what the mix will be, I think that suits the way we play best. We'll just have to sort out what that mix is and who our spinner is, basically.
"There's still two or three spots people are still trying to force their way into, it depends a little bit on what the Indian team is as well, whether they pick a lot of right-hand batsmen or left-hand batsmen and that might make a little bit of a difference to our spinning options."
Krejza made a bright start to the tour, taking three wickets in a practice game against a Rajasthan Cricket Academy side in Jaipur. McGain however, hasn't had a proper bowl yet because of a shoulder problem sustained during Australia A's tour of India earlier this month. He'll get his opportunity during the tour match against a Board President's XI in Hyderabad starting on October 2.
"He's [McGain] just finishing off [his rehabilitation], it would have been nice to get him going in the two-day game but the physio just felt if we tried to do everything in the competitive game he might be going a little too hard," Nielsen said. "We're trying to keep it controlled, now he should be fit and right to play in the four-day game."
Australia are without the option of Andrew Symonds' offbreaks on this tour but can utilise part-timers Michael Clarke, who bowls left-arm orthodox, and chinaman Simon Katich.
Australia's attack during their previous Test series, against West Indies earlier this year, comprised Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, and Stuart MacGill in the first two Tests, while Beau Casson replaced the legspinner for the final match. The spinners in the current squad, McGain and Krejza, haven't played a Test yet.
"I think we did a pretty reasonable job in the West Indies playing on low, flat, pretty slow wickets that spun late in the game, especially the first two Tests, with three quicks and a spinner," Nielsen said. "So I'd expect that's what the mix will be, I think that suits the way we play best. We'll just have to sort out what that mix is and who our spinner is, basically.
"There's still two or three spots people are still trying to force their way into, it depends a little bit on what the Indian team is as well, whether they pick a lot of right-hand batsmen or left-hand batsmen and that might make a little bit of a difference to our spinning options."
Krejza made a bright start to the tour, taking three wickets in a practice game against a Rajasthan Cricket Academy side in Jaipur. McGain however, hasn't had a proper bowl yet because of a shoulder problem sustained during Australia A's tour of India earlier this month. He'll get his opportunity during the tour match against a Board President's XI in Hyderabad starting on October 2.
"He's [McGain] just finishing off [his rehabilitation], it would have been nice to get him going in the two-day game but the physio just felt if we tried to do everything in the competitive game he might be going a little too hard," Nielsen said. "We're trying to keep it controlled, now he should be fit and right to play in the four-day game."
Australia are without the option of Andrew Symonds' offbreaks on this tour but can utilise part-timers Michael Clarke, who bowls left-arm orthodox, and chinaman Simon Katich.
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