Steven Smith says Australia bowling attack could look different in Sydney
Tuesday 29 December 2015 11:12, UK
Australia could ring the changes to their bowling attack for the final Test against the West Indies in Sydney.
Victory came at something of a cost, with Peter Siddle suffering an ankle injury in bowling only nine overs on the final day, while Josh Hazlewood's run of form came to a juddering halt as he went wicketless in the match, denied the scalp of Darren Bravo by over-stepping.
And captain Steven Smith revealed after the victory, that changes might be in the works for the SCG finale, now a dead rubber, with the chance Australia may even play two spinners.
Asked about Siddle, Smith said: "I've no idea at this stage, I haven't really had a chance to talk to the medical staff yet.
"But he was able to get through and get the job done, I just thought today it was best not using him much late in the day to try to get him a bit of a rest.
Of Hazlewood, Smith added: "It's obviously a pretty short turnaround between games so we'll wait and see how he pulls up and we'll see what the best team is when we get to Sydney and see what the wicket is like."
Australia have not played two front-line spinners in a home Test since 2006, but Smith raised the possibility of adding Steven O'Keefe, who would be playing on home turf, to his slow bowling options behind Nathan Lyon in Sydney.
"It'd be good to see a second spinner play and see what he's got to offer," Smith said. "If the conditions are going to suit...there's a pretty good chance we could see a second spinner playing.
"We go to Sri Lanka later in the year, where there is a good chance we'll see two spinners playing - or in the touring party."