Heat on Aussies’ attack

Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie says there is a chance fringe quicks Scott Boland and Michael Neser will play together in the Ashes.

A jam-packed schedule of six Tests in seven weeks would stretch the Australian bowling attack and lead to selection problems between matches, Gillespie said.

The SA Redbacks and Adelaide Strikers coach said the philosophy of national selectors would quickly become apparent when the Australians enter the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston off just a three-day break following the World Test Championship final.

“There’s always a chance (Boland and Neser both play), and the reason I say that is the Tests are in very quick succession,” Gillespie said.

“The challenge for both sides will be managing those short breaks – can a quick get through five Tests in six weeks?

“It’s got to be our shortest Ashes tour in history … in terms of time.”

Gillespie said it would be difficult for selectors to ignore Neser, given his all-round form in county cricket, with the Queenslander claiming 19 wickets at 25.63 and 311 runs at 51.83 in five games for second division side Glamorgan.

“I don’t know which way they’ll go – (Neser or Boland) is going to be the decision, because they’ll definitely play Starc and Cummins, and they’ll definitely play Lyon and Green,” Gillespie said.

“It’ll just come down to selection philosophy, really – do you go the incumbent, or do you strike while the iron is hot and go for someone that’s actually been in English conditions and performing strongly?”

Gillespie said it would be a “nightmare” to be in charge of international cricket scheduling at present, pointing back to the wide-open schedule of the 1993 Ashes tour to England.

“The year isn’t getting longer – there’s so much more cricket, so it’s a tricky one,” he said.