Australia hold off on 2nd Test team

Australia are likely to wait until the toss before revealing their final XI for the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad.

Captain Michael Clarke, coach Mickey Arthur and selector Rod Marsh all had a good look at the pitch during Saturday’s training session at Queen’s Park Oval.

But Clarke says he’s no closer to deciding whether to pick two spinners or stick with the same bowling line-up that won the first Test by three wickets in Barbados.

The temptation is to name Michael Beer as well as offspinner Nathan Lyon on a flat and dry-looking wicket but it would be tough on one of Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus or Ryan Harris to have to miss out.

“I haven’t had a good enough look at conditions,” Clarke said.

“A big part, with no training yesterday, of selection is talking to the coach and the selector on duty today to announce our team … more than likely tomorrow morning before the game.”

Australia didn’t train on Friday due to a heavy shower that swept across Port of Spain and with similar conditions forecast for the first few days of the Test, Clarke says rain and lost time will be a factor in the outcome of the match.

“I think rain is definitely going to play a part. I think the forecast is for rain the first three days of the Test match,” he said.

“They say the drainage here is very good. It rained a fair bit yesterday but the ground, when I walked out there yesterday, it would’ve been fine to play on.

“It’s more going to be the lack of time in the game – come five o’clock every day it’s going to be quite dark – so I think the weather is going to play a big part.”

Windies skipper Darren Sammy is confident the pitch in Trinidad will still produce a result and he’s tipped his young legspinner Devendra Bishoo to bounce back after a disappointing outing in the first Test.

“Bishoo did will for us, the ICC emerging player of the year for last year, and sometimes you get a dip in form,” Sammy said.

“I won’t count him out after one not so good performance. He’s still an integral part of this team.”

The second Test begins at 10am on Sunday (0000 Monday AEST).

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