WARNER SET FOR ‘G CLASH
Boxing Day Test latest:
QUEENSLAND paceman Michael Neser could be handed a Test debut today as Australia considers playing five bowlers for the Boxing Day clash.
Gunning for a fourth straight victory this summer, the Australian hierarchy is toying with the idea of dropping vice-captain Travis Head for the MCG battle with New Zealand.
It would see Neser come into the XI and captain Tim Paine shift up to No.6 for the second Test. But Paine will delay making a call on the team until getting a final look at the pitch this morning.
The much-maligned wicket took a huge hit less than three weeks ago when a Sheffield Shield match was abandoned for being too dangerous.
But it is the MCG’s recent Test decks, labelled as lifeless, which are at the forefront of Australia’s conundrum.
“Looking at the wicket in the last two or three Boxing Day Test matches, it’s been very hard to take 20 wickets,” Paine said yesterday.
“Our batting team has been scoring a lot of runs so if we were to go one more bowler, we would be comfortable they could do the job.
“The bowlers we would be bringing in can all bat so while we’re taking a batter out, we’re probably lengthening our lineup.”
If Head is dumped for the second time this year it would allow Neser to slot in at No.7.
The 29-year-old has a firstclass batting average of 25.13 and belted a domestic one-day century in 2017 to be considered a bowling all-rounder.
South African-born Neser has 167 first-class wickets at an average of 26.15 from 52 matches.
Paine said it would be a “nice problem” juggling four quicks and spinner Nathan Lyon.
Australia has rarely played five genuine bowlers, although Mitch Marsh has regularly been used as an extra option but batted at No.6.
Even though Australia has refused to confirm his inclusion, Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson will almost certainly replace the injured Josh Hazlewood.
Pattinson will reignite with fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
“It would be better than the (problem) I had in Perth, that’s for sure,” Paine said.
Despite sustaining a thumb injury at training this week, opener David Warner has been declared a certain starter.
Warner, who ran riot with 489 runs in the two-Test series against Pakistan, trained yesterday morning.
Paine said he had no concerns over the 33-year-old’s fitness and Warner would take his place at the top of the order with Joe Burns.