Balanced bowling attack would be best Ashes bet for Oz selectors: Roebuck

SYDNEY - Noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck reckons that the Australian selectors must opt for a balanced bowling attack for a successful Ashes campaign against England.

“Over the years, Australia have played their best cricket with a varied attack. It is not in the local temperament to get bogged down or to grind. Now and then the thought occurs to pack a side with speedsters, and as often as not the strategy backfires,” Roebuck wrote in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Obviously, it’d be foolish to reject the idea outright. If the pacemen are as capable as the West Indian quartet decades ago then the tactic becomes mandatory.”

“Facing Colin Croft was a trickier proposition than countering some Guyanese twirler. Common sense has a part to play in these matters,” he added.

Roebuck further said that the think tank is well advised to keep all their options open when they name the side on Monday.

“Worries about Mitchell Johnson’s form might make the selectors hesitate. He is the most enigmatic of bowlers. It’s hard to think of anyone else of his stature who has caused as many headaches in his own camp. However, that is a poor reason for choosing an unchanging attack,” Roebuck said.

“Fearful thinking spreads like a cancer. Nor is the difficulty of naming the top three fast bowlers a reason to hedge bets. Five or six bowlers have thrown their hats into the ring. All merit consideration, but there is no cause to cower. Sometimes hard decisions have to be taken,” he added.

The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29.

It will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

The tour also has two Twenty20 clashes and a seven-match ODI series. (ANI)