Fawad might get his opportunity next Test: Darren Lehmann

Room for only one?

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has indicated that Fawad Alam could be handed a Test debut during the second Test against the West Indies after being ignored for the first Test. But, on a long term he has made it pretty clear that his team won’t be playing two frontline spinners. 

Given the lethal pace battery Australia have in their ranks, it is highly likely that they would tinker with that combination during the Ashes next month. "We know it spins here traditionally but at the end of the day we thought the three quick options were the best way to go considering we've got Smith, Clarke and Voges who can all bowl left-arm spin or wrist spin," Lehmann said. "So with Lyon we think that gives us enough spin options and with the three quicks it lets us go pretty hard at them.”

"The practice wickets have played pretty well, they've taken spin but also had a little bit of carry. We think the option with Smith, Clarke and Voges doing the bowling covers that. It was a really tough decision. Time will tell but we're really comfortable with that side. Fawad might get his opportunity next Test."

It looks like the skipper Michael Clarke was interested in having him in the playing XI judging by his comments in an Australian newspaper column, but the final call was taken by the coach and the selectors. "I've known Fuzz for a while now," Clarke had said. "We spent a bit of time together even before he was playing for Australia. He came and bowled to us regularly when we were in Melbourne. I've got to know him over the last couple of years. I said in my column today that one of his greatest strengths is his consistency. For a wrist spin bowler to be able to be so consistent is a great strength to have.

"Fawad is experienced. He knows his strengths, He knows his weaknesses. We speak daily about field settings in different conditions all around the world. I'm confident if he gets an opportunity that he will be able to have success, and we'll be able to work together to get the appropriate fields to take wickets."

But for now, Lehmann’s decision paid off as Australia bundled out the windies for a meagre 148 on the opening day.