Ashes: Darren Lehmann ponders James Faulkner inclusion

Australia will consider James Faulkner for second Test.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann has said that he would consider James Faulkner for the second Test in Adelaide. The nature of the surface in Adelaide would be slow, and it may assist the spinners and Lehmann thinks James Faulkner’s pace variations could be significant for Australia.

Australia have arrived in Adelaide for the second Test, with coach Lehmann arriving early to look at the pitch. The selectors and team manager Pat Howard have decided to have a reserve seamer who has been rested from Sheffield Shield matches.

Faulkner’s inclusion would certainly bolster the Australia pace attack, and also extend Australia’s batting to No.8. “I’m really happy with the 12 we have put together and the 11 did the job in Brisbane and now it’s a case of working out what the best 11 is to get a result here,” Lehmann said.

“James brings a real competitive streak, he showed that at The Oval. He has done well to retain his place in the 12 from The Oval and was unlucky to miss out in Brisbane. He reverses the ball, he’s got good control and he has a crack, which we like.

“We might have to come up with a few different plans, and that is just part and parcel of the different wickets you get around the country so that is no different for us, adapting to the different styles and we will have to play a different style this game but still be very aggressive in what we do. In Brisbane obviously it had some pace and bounce in it, Adelaide might be a bit different, but it might reverse a bit more and spin a bit more so we just have to sum that as we go. The key is first innings of both sides, making sure you make some big runs or limit the opposition.”

Lehmann also talked about the improving fitness level of Shane Watson. Watson, who bowled only two overs at Brisbane, will be keen to deliver with the ball at Adelaide and at the same time, he’ll look to concentrate on his batting following a poor performance at Gabba.

“Yes, if he’s fully fit, he’ll play. I have said that all along, we’re not changing our stance on that. If he is fit to play, he will play,” Lehmann said of Harris. “I reckon he is going to be fit, at the moment they’re all fit, so we’re okay. We have an advantage with Shane Watson bowling more this Test match, he didn’t have to bowl as much as we thought in the last one, so that is an advantage as well, but Ryan is a key player.”

Australia would look to enter into WACA with a 1-0, or 2-0 score line because the surface at Perth would have a lot of pace and bounce, which means the hosts pace attack looks more formidable to exploit that condition. “It’s just one Test match so we have got to play well, back that up, and show we’re the side we want to become, not just one-hit wonders, if you like,” Lehmann said. “Play a brand of cricket that is strong, competitive each and every day, each and every session, and if we do that, we know we will get the results. But we can’t just rest on our laurels after one Test.

“As always, you enjoy celebrations after a success, and you should do, it’s a tough game, as we know, and it has been a while since we won a Test match so it’s good we have done that, we have achieved that, and now it’s get ready for Adelaide. They will come back really hard, we know England are a good cricket team and we’ll have to be ready to play.”