Australia are confident they have the bowling depth to succeed in the Caribbean despite fitness concerns over Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris.
The fast bowling duo were both surprisingly omitted from Australia’s team for the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad on Sunday, on the same day former Windies quick Colin Croft slammed the tourist’s attack.
Croft, a feisty quick who took 125 wickets in a truncated 27 Test career including the best Test figures by a West Indies bowler (8-29), used a column in the Sunday Guardian newspaper in Trinidad to claim the current Australian attack was the worst the tourists had ever brought to the Caribbean.
At stumps on day one the tourists had battled their way to 5-208 on a dry pitch that former Windies fast bowler Michael Holding felt a tombstone wouldn’t have looked out of place on, given its lack of pace and bounce.
“By Test No.3’s completion at month’s end in Dominica, make your own assessments of present-day Australian bowling but they will have to come good to be even close to some that have come before,” Croft wrote before adding Windies selectors didn’t change the hosts’ batting for the second Test because “there is no need to”.
Siddle’s struggles with back stiffness following Australia’s three-wicket first Test win in Barbados last week appears the biggest concern.
The Victorian was left out for left-arm spinner Michael Beer with selectors mindful a heavy bowling load with a stiff back on a low and lifeless Queen’s Park Oval wicket would only put him in further doubt for the final Test in Dominica beginning on April 23.
Harris’s omission after his man-of-the-match display in Barbados was a bigger shock however, with the injury-plagued 32-year-old rested for the fresher legs of James Pattinson.
But allrounder Shane Watson is backing the squad of bowlers to get through the tour and feels there is enough talent to overcome conditions and fitness worries.
“It’s hard to compare it to some of the teams I’ve toured with in the past but there is no doubt it’s very exciting when you see someone like Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris (aren’t playing) but you’ve got … the quality of James Pattinson and also Mitchell Starc waiting in the wings as well,” said Watson, before adding he was hopeful the few days rest would ensure Siddle is fit for the series finale.
The selections for the second Test mean off-spinner Nathan Lyon, as well as the inexperienced Beer, are being asked to deliver a series-clinching win on a turning wicket.
If the young South Australian can star it will be the perfect response to former Australian Test player Geoff Lawson and Windies spin great Lance Gibbs, who have both criticised Lyon’s technique in recent days.
Croft was no less harsh, picking out Lyon as the bowler he has the least time for in Australia’s attack in his column.
“Nathan Lyon does nothing with the ball except bowl,” Croft said in dismissive fashion.
