Speedster Shaun Tait is preparing himself for the possibility
that Australian selectors will opt for a four-pronged pace attack for the first
cricket Test against India starting here on December 26.
Pain-free in his right elbow for the first time in 12 months, Tait is aware
he must perform to force his way back into contention after a series of injury
setbacks.
The Chappell-Hadlee one-day series against New Zealand
presents his most immediate chance of an international recall, but uncertainty
about the fitness of leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has created speculation
that selectors will consider a rare pace assault at the MCG against India.
Though it is likelier that wrist spinner Brad Hogg,
who is in the form of his career, would be called upon should MacGill be ruled
out of the series, chief selector Andrew Hilditch has not ruled out the prospect
of playing four specialist pacemen, with some part-time spin from Andrew
Symonds and Michael Clarke.
"We made it pretty clear before first Test selection that we consider
our best balance will contain a spinner but there are going to be various conditions
where a four-pronged pace attack will not be ruled out," he was quoted
as saying by 'The Age' today.
"It will all come down to the conditions at that particular time, and
where we are playing" he added.
Tait has not played for Australia since his breakthrough World Cup campaign
in April and Mitchell Johnson grabbed the position vacated by Glenn
McGrath in his absence.
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