MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Australia are expected to keep the successful attack that has carried them to a 4-0 Ashes lead for the final test against England in Sydney, bowling coach Craig McDermott said yesterday.
Paceman Ryan Harris and all-rounder Shane Watson bowled sparingly in the second innings of the fourth test win in Melbourne as they managed respective knee and groin complaints, raising doubts about their fitness.
“As I keep saying, you don’t play test cricket without getting sore,” McDermott told reporters in Melbourne.
“I fully expect we’ll have the same team – or the same bowling group – in Sydney … I’m very confident that will happen.”
“Watto (Watson) proved (his fitness) yesterday – he ran between wickets pretty well.
“He’s not the fastest mover at the best of times.
“He got through, he bowled in the second innings as well.
“I don’t think there will be any drama with Watto.”
Having skittled England’s second innings for 179 in two sessions and wrapped up the match before tea on day four, Australia’s pacemen, led by man-of-the-match Mitchell Johnson, have an extra day to recover.
All have performed well in the series, with spinner Nathan Lyon enjoying a five-wicket innings haul at the MCG and Peter Siddle also making timely contributions.
“All five of them have bowled very well,” former test bowler McDermott said.
“We’ve been in a couple of little … holes here and there, but good sides (work) through that.
“Certainly the last test match turnaround from where we finished in the first innings batting-wise, just proves we have a really good side – a great side in the making.”
Australia’s selectors named uncapped batsman Alex Doolan, a disciple of fellow Tasmanian and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, in a 14-man squad for Sydney yesterday.
