Aussie quicks causing selection headaches as Swepson in the mix

IN A perverse piece of cricket logic, New Zealand’s decision to axe spinner Ajaz Patel after he took 10 wickets in an innings provides an argument for Australia to blood Mitchell Swepson.

Patel became just the third Test bowler in history to take all 10 wickets in an innings when he skittled India on a turning deck in Mumbai this month, only to miss out on the Kiwis’ 13-man squad for next month’s Tests against Bangladesh on seam-friendly home decks.

The logic that cost Patel his place – that pitch conditions can mean more than the most spectacular recent statistics when choosing a Test attack – can also be used in reverse to support Swepson’s case for his first baggy green cap at the SCG next week.

If the underestimated Swepson is chosen, Australia can pick just two fast bowlers.

Captain Pat Cummins is the first man in, meaning just one could be chosen from Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser.

Australia was overjoyed to hand Neser his first Test cap given he has been on the periphery for more than two years but Swepson has actually been waiting for longer, having been added to Australia’s squad for the 2017 Indian tour.

As Cummins said after winning the Ashes, playing Swepson in Sydney would give him a taste of Test cricket and sweep away the initial nerves.

And, let’s face it, bowling to this limited England side gives the sense that every child will win a prize. It could be great for his confidence.

The one key variable is the state of the SCG pitch which, over the past decade, has lost its charm for slow bowlers. Nathan Lyon has played 10 Tests there and averages 41 per wicket.

It’s one of his toughest venues.

Even if Swepson is omitted in Sydney there will be plenty of hard luck stories among the bowlers which is unusual. Most decent Test match bowlers get the exposure they deserve.

Australian Test history is littered with excellent Sheffield Shield keepers such as Darren Berry, who could have played 100 Tests but played none, and dotted with occasional batting hard luck stories Jamie Cox and Jamie Siddons, neither of whom played a Test.

But there are not many cases of outstanding fast men being constantly starved of decent exposure.