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Untitled Document
 Australia may unleash Tait in Perth
10th Jan 2008 23:01 IST
Agencies
India are likely to be up against a four-pronged Australian pace attack in the third Test at Perth's WACA ground, which has returned to being the fastest pitch in the world.
"From what we have seen so far and the reports from (curator) Cam Sutherland, it is certainly getting back towards what it used to be like," fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee, also the Western Australia Cricket Association president, said.
Left-arm chinaman bowler Brad Hogg, who played in the first two Tests, faces charges of verbally abusing Indian captain Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The charge carries a ban of two to four Tests, which could make the spinner ineligible for the third Test, to be played on his home ground.
The selectors are expected to consider unleashing Shaun Tait as part of a four-man pace attack in Perth as the conditions suit pace over spin, 'The Age' reported today.
"I wouldn't tell (the selectors) what to do. All I know is it should be fast and bouncy, and certainly a whole lot better than what we have had for a long time there now," WACA chief executive Graeme Wood said.
Perth was the scene of Australia's most recent draw, in December 2005, on a low, slow pitch that moved former swing bowler Terry Alderman to call for authorities to "dig the thing up".
Though the Test pitch is not one of the four that have been re-laid, it has been revitalised with some of the original soil more conducive to the pace and bounce of the 1970s and '80s.
"I think they will certainly have to look at the composition of the side because if you look at the history of this year, it has certainly been the quicks who have been getting most of the wickets rather than the spinners," said Wood.
"The board has made a concerted effort to try and get back to where it was."
Meanwhile, Lillee said he would be happy to give some tips to current Aussie speedster Mitchell Johnson, the left-armer he famously identified as a once-in-a-generation bowler, after the squad gathers in Perth. But Johnson, a devoted pupil of bowling coach Troy Cooley, will have to come forward.
"The Australian cricket board had me and they don't use me any more so it is not my job, but if Mitch wants to come to me privately and have a chat I'd be very happy," Lillee said. |
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