Harris added to Australia’s squad for 2nd Test

Dhoni adamant on DRS stance despite wrong decisions at MCG.

SYDNEY: Australian fast-bowler Ryan Harris was named in the 12-man squad to take on India in the second Test in Sydney, the only addition to the side which won the series opener in Melbourne.

Harris, who has been out with a hip injury, comes into the squad but fellow paceman Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Daniel Christian have been omitted and all-rounder Shane Watson remains sidelined by a calf injury.

“Harris has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan,” said national selector John Inverarity.

“Starc and Christian, who were both in squad for the first Test have been omitted but remain very much in our thinking.”

Australia’s pace trio of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus was crucial to the home side’s win in Melbourne, snaring 19 wickets between them to limit India’s strong batting line-up to a two-innings total of 451.

Harris could be used to aid their efforts in Sydney, with captain Michael Clarke saying that selectors would consider this possibility.

India, in the ascendancy over Australia as the second-ranked team, have failed in nine previous tours over 64 years to win a series Down Under.

Meanwhile, India captain MS Dhoni has reiterated his board’s stance of not supporting the DRS until they are convinced that the technology is 100% perfect.

“I still put my money on the umpires because they have been doing the job for a long time,” said Dhoni.

“It is just that the pressure on them is growing with plenty of technology around. We feel the technology is not 100% accurate.

“At times you see an edge on Hot Spot, sometimes you don’t see anything happening. Before the start of the England series I was a big fan of Hot Spot.

“The way things went in England I don’t have the same kind of confidence. If it is not 100% I will still go with the umpires. This is a game in which people commit mistakes. If the bowler doesn’t commit a mistake the batsman can’t get runs. If the batsman doesn’t commit a mistake the bowler doesn’t get a wicket. So we’ll make umpires too a part of it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2011.