Australian selectors likely to keep faith with spinners

Sydney, Feb 3(ANI): Australian selectors are most likely to name an unchanged squad for the second Twenty20 match against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after they thrashed India by 31 runs in the first of the two-match Twenty20 series.

This would mean that once again only one recognized fast bowler in Brett Lee would start the game along with two specialist spinners in Xavier Doherty and Brad Hogg.

It was for the first time in Australia's seven-year T20 history that only one specialist pace bowler was selected against India in the first Twenty20 match despite India's good reputation against spinners.

This move is also touted as a nod by the Australian selectors to the rising trend of slow bowling in Twenty20 matches, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

All rounder David Hussey who is also the third spin bowling option in the team believes the move to play two spinners in the squad was made keeping the Twenty20 World Cup in mind in Sri Lanka.

"There's certainly one eye looking to Sri Lanka in September with the spinners' factor over there, but Brett Lee is one of the best fast bowlers in the world and has to play," said Hussey. (ANI)