Aussies may not be able to prepare a fast pitch

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting

Australia's strategy of unleasing a pace blitz on the Lankan batsmen when the First Test begin at the Gabba on November 8, may after all not materialise.

That is because the fixing of the Test early into the season, in Brisbane has not allowed curator Kevin Mitchell Jnr. the time he will require to prepare a fast pitch.

However with a few more days available, it could be different when Test match time comes around.

If the curator is unable to prepare a pitch to suit the devastating pace of the Aussie quickies especially Brett Lee and Saun Tait, then spinners Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg would come into the picture when the Aussie selectors sit down to pick the squad.

With Shane Warne out of cricket, it gives leg spinner Stuart MacGill who has always been in the shadow of Warne to come good and cement his place in the team.

The recent Purra Cup game between Queensland and Tasmania did not suit the fastmen and as the game progressed the Gabba pitch flattened out.

If the wicket is not a fast one, then the Lankan batsmen could heave a sigh of relief and enjoy their batting and enable them to post formidable totals.

That Australia have not lost a home Test in 10 years when Shane Warne and Glen McGrath were in the team, should inspire the Lankans who are searching for their first Test victory in Australia. There is the possibility that the Aussies would want to go in with three pacemen - Lee, Tait and Johnson and probably with MacGill or Hogg as spinners.

Brisbane has been suffering a drought. But the weather changed suddenly and at the time of writing, there is rain accompanied by thunder and lightning.

There is also a water shortage here and everyone is hoping and praying that the heavens may open up, and that too before Test match time comes around.

The Aussie frontline batsmen have all got into their run making act with opener Matthew Hayden hammering 179 against New South Wales, Simon Katich making a triple hundred (306) against Queensland and Bradd Haddin 123 also against Queensland.