Mickey Arthur hints at retaining bowling attack for SCG Test

Sydney: Australia coach Mickey Arthur has hinted at retaining the same bowling attack for the second Test against India starting Jan 3 here at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Fit-again pacer Ryan Harris, who was selected in the 12-member squad, has little chance of playing in the New Year`s Test as Arthur is likely to go ahead with three pacers, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle, and lone spinner Nathan Lyon. The new Cricket Australia (CA) administration has vowed to rest fast bowlers to avoid injuries, but Arthur, who is also part of the five-man selection panel, said that with an extra day`s rest, there was nothing to fear about. "It (rotation) is something we`ll have to look at...but in saying that we`ve given ourselves an extra day off now...and the guys are owning their positions, making it really difficult for guys to get back in, which is a fantastic position to be in," said Arthur. "But we`ve given ourselves an extra day off now, which was unbargained for, and the guys are owning their positions, making it really difficult for guys to get back in, which is a fantastic position to be in," the South African was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. Arthur indicated his strong preference was to play a spinner at the SCG. Australia`s 122-run win in the first Test was built on the sustained hostility of its pace attack but off-spinner Lyon held his nerve against India`s experienced batsmen and maintained pressure despite just one wicket to show for it. "I have been impressed with Nathan Lyon all the time. He`s such a good, bubbly character, and he`s a hell of a bowler who will get better and better, so I was certainly not disappointed by any of his stuff," he said. IANS