PORT OF SPAIN – Australia coach Mickey Arthur said his team may employ two specialist spinners for the second Test against the West Indies, which starts Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Nathan Lyon, who played in the first Test victory in Barbados, could be partnered by left-arm spinner Michael Beer as the Australians look to wrap up the three-match series.
“Over the last two seasons it’s been relatively low-scoring but also very, very spin-friendly. The temptation to play two spinners could be there,” Arthur said.
“You never write that off until you have a look at the conditions. I guess we’ve just got to look at conditions, then decide how best we’re going to get 20 wickets.”
Lyon took just one wicket in the three-wicket win over West Indies in Barbados, while Beer has played just one Test.
That was against England in Sydney in January 2011, where his match figures were an embarrassing one for 112.
Meanwhile, Arthur praised Michael Clarke after the skipper declared the team’s first innings at 43 runs behind the West Indies before pushing for victory in the Bridgetown gloom Wednesday.
“I thought it was a great idea and I sort of just backed him on it,” said the coach.
“Michael needs to take all the plaudits for that because it was a brave decision that worked out for us.
“Tactically he is very good. He’s very positive, a very aggressive captain and that’s something I really enjoy and something I really like.”
Watson to avoid run-outs
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson said he was desperate to kick the habit of being involved in Test match run-outs.
Watson has been at the center of eight run-outs in his 33 Tests, the latest leading to the dismissal of Ricky Ponting in the first innings of the first Test win over West Indies in Barbados.
“The Ponting run-out hurt me,” Watson said.
“I’ve been involved in too many run-outs, which is not good enough, but this one especially really did affect me. I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“I’ve got to have a look at my running between the wickets and my calling, because in the end it hasn’t been compatible with the guys I’ve batted with as well,” he said.
Shillingford included
Off-spinner Shane Shillingford was called into the West Indies squad, 18 months after his last appearance.
Shillingford, 29, played the last of his five Tests in November 2010 after his bowling action was deemed illegal on the tour of Sri Lanka. But he has since undergone remedial work and took 38 wickets in five matches during the recent domestic Caribbean season.— Agencies
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