2nd Test: Australia plan spin attack against West Indies

Lyon might play alongside Beer as tourists look to seal series.

PORT OF SPAIN:

Australia may employ two specialist spinners for the second Test against the West Indies that starts at the Queen's Park Oval today.

Nathan Lyon, who played in the three-wicket victory in Barbados in the first Test, could be partnered by left-arm spinner Michael Beer as the Australians look to wrap up the three-match series.

"Over the last two seasons it's been relatively low-scoring but also very, very spin-friendly,” said Australia coach Mickey Arthur. “The temptation to play two spinners could be there. You never write that off until you have a look at the conditions. I guess we've just got to look at conditions, then decide how best we're going to get 20 wickets."

Lyon took just one wicket in the three-wicket win over West Indies in Barbados, while Beer has only played one Test.

Meanwhile, Arthur praised Michael Clarke after the skipper declared the team's first-innings at 43 runs behind the West Indies before pushing for victory in the Bridgetown gloom on Wednesday.

"I thought it was a great idea and I sort of just backed him on it. Clarke needs to take all the plaudits for that because it was a brave decision that worked out for us. Tactically he’s very good. He's very positive, a very aggressive captain and that's something I really enjoy and something I really like."

Watson desperate to shed run-out woe

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson said he was desperate to kick the habit of being involved in Test match run-outs.

Watson has been at the centre of eight run-outs in his 33 Tests, the latest leading to the dismissal of Ricky Ponting in the first innings of the first Test win over West Indies in Barbados.

"The Ponting run-out hurt me," said Watson. "I've been involved in too many run-outs, which is not good enough, but this one especially really did affect me. I'll be doing everything I possibly can to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Despite a valuable 54 on the final day in Barbados which helped steer his team to a dramatic three-wicket win, Watson recognises he needs to tweak parts of his game. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2012.