Clark, Hauritz battle it out for Ashes finale bowling spot

CANTERBURY - Australia cantered to victory over the England Lions here on Sunday, but the focus was on the battle between pace bowler Stuart Clark and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for the final bowling spot for the fifth Ashes Test.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian selectors will be taxed about whom to finally chose, as both put in above average performances in the side match.

Hauritz captured two wickets in as many balls while Clark completed a fiery second spell with a scalp of his own.

Australia had declared at 9-340 and dismissed the Lions for 237 with one hour remaining in the two-dayer, winning on the first innings.

Brett Lee captured 3-37 from 16 overs.

Hauritz finished with 2-43 from 16, and Clark 1-33 from 11.

Hauritz said. “It’s just going to come down to how [The Oval] wicket is. At the end of the day there’s 16 of us here to win the Ashes. If I’m not picked, I’m not picked, I’m going to do my job as 12th man.”

Part-time spinners Marcus North and Simon Katich also picked up a wicket each, reminding captain Ricky Ponting that alternative tweaking options remain if Australia sticks to its all-pace attack for The Oval decider starting Thursday.

The selectors will release the Australian team just before the toss, after assessing pitch conditions to decide whether to recall the spinner or stick with the four-man pace attack that obliterated England in Leeds. (ANI)