Ryan Harris won't play second Test if he's not 100% fit: Darren Lehmann
Australia will be without the services of Michael Clarke for the remaining three Test matches against India, due to the hamstring injury that he suffered on the final day of the first Test at Adelaide. To make matters worse for them, two of their premier fast bowlers - Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle - are also in doubt to feature in the playing XI for the second Test, starting in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Shaun Marsh is likely to replace Clarke in the team while Mitchell Starc has been kept on standby. Josh Hazlewood also looks likely to make his Test debut at the Gabba.
Coach Darren Lehmann said that they will look to bring in a few fresh legs into the attack and will ensure that the best XI is chosen in order to win the game.
“We might need to (freshen up the attack). We will see how they pull up,” he said.
“We will pick the best team to get 20 wickets. A couple of them are sore, but the next day or two will tell. It’s a quick turnaround.”
Harris will play only if he is fully fit: Lehmann
About Harris’s chances of playing in Brisbane, the former middle-order batsman said that he wasn’t sure whether he’ll play the second Test or not, but was quick to add that if he wasn’t 100% fit, he would not play on Wednesday.
“I literally don’t know. He’s just come back in the side,” he said.
“You’d like to think so at the Gabba, but having said that if they are not 100 percent they won’t play.”
Siddle bowled 27.4 overs in the Test match but picked up only 2 wickets. Lehmann, however, felt that Sidde‘s performance was fine and that he is working hard in the nets to get back to his best.
“He bowled tightly which is what we need from him. Obviously (also) getting some more wickets if possible. He knows that, but he is doing everything he can behind the scenes. He’s OK,” he added.
Lyon enjoys bowling on pitches that offer bounce: Lehmann
The 44-year-old also praised Nathan Lyon’s man-of-the-match performance in the first Test, saying that he enjoys pitches which have bounce and was pleased to see him get wickets on the fifth day.
“He did a really good job last year against England (in Brisbane), got some keys wickets. He enjoys the bounce.
“He’s dispelled that (the notion Lyon couldn’t bowl teams out on day five)...I’m really pleased for him. It was an emotional day for him,” he concluded.