AUSTRALIA coach Tim Nielsen insists much-maligned spinner Nathan Hauritz is ‘‘getting better and better’’ – but will make no decision on whether to play him in the first Ashes Test until viewing the Cardiff pitch.
Hauritz is the only specialist spinner in the 16-strong Australian party and he has returned combined figures of two for 260 from his two appearances against Sussex at Hove and England Lions at Worcester.
But there were signs of improvement during the second innings against the Lions, when he finished with one for 22 from 12.2 overs as the game ended in a tame draw.
There has been speculation that the Aussies will rely on part-time spinners Marcus North, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich.
But Nielsen hinted Hauritz could play a part given the number of left-handers in the England side.
Nielsen said: ‘‘We won’t know until we get to Cardiff what side to select and the conditions will be critical.
‘‘But Nathan has got better as we have gone on and he is comfortable with how his game is progressing.
‘‘He was below his best in the first innings at Hove and the wicket didn’t offer a lot of spin or bounce at Worcester but at least he was able to get some rhythm.
‘‘He changed his pace a lot more and was able to cause a few more issues out of the rough for their left-handers.
‘‘Remembering their Test squad usually has three left handers to finish their order off and two at the top, an offspinner will be pretty handy in that regard.’’ Nielsen is expecting opener Phillip Hughes to work on his technique during the next few days after twice being dismissed by short balls from Steve Harmison.
He said: ‘‘South Africa bowled like that to him through the series in the winter and he had great success.
Steyn, Morkel and Ntini all went hard at him.
‘‘You have to be pretty precise if you are going to bowl that length to him.
‘‘We have seen how hard Phil hits the ball through point if the ball is not quite right. It is physically taxing for the bowler to be smashing the ball into the wicket all of the time.
‘‘To do it for long periods is hard work and, if you don’t have a bit of luck, before you know it he could be on 40.
‘‘Phil is averaging 60 in Tests and it was great experience for him because he probably hasn’t faced that quality fast bowling, certainly not in the last month or two.
‘‘It has given him a real chance to be aware of how England will attack him and he has two or three days to think about how he is going to cope."
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