Lehmann facing Ashes fast bowler selection headache

Sport360 staff 06:54 17/06/2015
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  • Dilemma: Darren Lehmann.

    Australia coach Darren Lehmann admits he faces a “massive headache” when selecting his quick bowlers for the Ashes opener against England next month.

    The Australians this weekend sealed a convincing 2-0 Test series victory over West Indies with three of their frontline pace bowlers each making major contributions during the two matches.

    Josh Hazlewood was named Man of the Series after picking up 12 scalps while left-armers Mitchell Starc (10) and Mitchell Johnson (eight) were also among the wickets.

    That has left Lehmann with what he admits is a nice dilemma for the Ashes, as Ryan Harris – who was rested for the Caribbean tour – and Peter Siddle are also vying for a fast bowling berth as well.

    Lehmann wrote in his column on www.cricket.com.au: “Those guys have given us a massive headache – albeit a good one– and we have a really tough decision to make.

    “Two of those five guys are going to be unbelievably unlucky to miss out, but that’s what happens when you’re playing good cricket. You have to make those hard decisions.”

    Before the opening Test against England starts in Cardiff on July 8, Australia face Kent and Essex in warm-up matches, and Lehmann says those fixtures will help define his selection for the Ashes.

    He added: “The two tour matches leading into the series will play a big part of our thinking. We need to see how the bowlers pull up and how they bowl in the different conditions, on different pitches and with the different ball.”

    Australia have a poor recent record in the Ashes in England, winning just two Tests out of 15 in the last decade

     However, Lehmann, whose side were 5-0 victors in the last series against England on home soil in 2013/14, is in confident mood ahead of the series: “It’s been two years since our last Ashes tour and there’s a big change in mindset for me personally and the team compared to when were there in 2013.

    “The guys are definitely in a better space than they were two years ago. We’re really close as a team and we know what we we’ve got to do on and off the ground to achieve our goals.”

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