After dominating South Africa in the home Test series, Australia are all set to tour India for a four-match Test series, starting February 9 in Nagpur.
Ahead of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia skipper Pat Cummins wants everything at his “disposal” and besides the leading spinner Nathan Lyon, he feels Ashton Agar and Travis Head will be critical to the team’s bowling plans.
“I think our squad will have basically all possibilities. It’s a big series, so we want everything at our disposal,” Cummins said after the third Test against South Africa at SCG ended in a draw.
Ashton Agar was added to Australia’s squad for the final Test versus South Africa bearing in mind the India tour. However, he failed to make a mark in the rain-marred Test match, conceding 58 runs without claiming a wicket in his 22 overs.
Being a left-arm spinner, he is expected to be effective against the Indian top-order predominantly featuring the right-handers with Rishabh Pant set to miss the series after sustaining multiple injuries in a car crash last month.
“Ash will be there, a left-arm orthodox … he’ll absolutely be there. It wasn’t an audition at all (for the India tour). This wicket’s a bit different to India, it wasn’t really spinning out of the middle of the wicket.
“An Indian wicket sometimes really breaks up, even from the middle of the wicket, and a left-arm orthodox becomes a bit more effective against right-hand batters. I thought he did really well,” Cummins added.
While Nathan Lyon will lead the spin department, the Australian captain expects Head to play a key role as well.
“Trav is a slightly different off-spin bowler to Nath (Lyon), a bit flatter which could be really helpful over there. I’ve been really happy with how he (Head) has bowled, and probably under-bowled him even in this game.
“So he’ll be a big part of our team over there.
Cummins is also counting on the likes of part-time spinners Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to chip in with a few overs.
“Over there, if you’re picking two spinners you think it’s going to be quite a spinning wicket and Travis Head, Marnus, Smudge (Smith), they all come into it a bit more.
“Generally, if you’re picking two spinners you’re not expecting it to be a really long five-day game, and we’ve got some other resources there anyway.
Pace-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green, who missed the Sydney Test after fracturing his right index finger, should recover in time for the India tour.
“Cam Green bats at six, so you’ve got three quick bowlers which is a bit of luxury as it is,” Cummins said.
“He showed his class (taking five wickets at the MCG) so no qualms picking him – you know what you’re going to get, and it’s quality.”
(With PTI Inputs)
