World Cup veteran Brad Hogg says Australia needs frontline spinner, can’t rely on Glenn Maxwell

TWO-TIME World Cup winner Brad Hogg says Australia need a frontline spinner and can’t rely on contributions from part-timer Glenn Maxwell.

BBL Cricket. Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat at the WACA in Perth. pictured - Brad Hogg calls

TWO-TIME World Cup winner Brad Hogg says Australia need a frontline spinner in their best XI to win the showpiece tournament on home soil for the first time, and can’t rely solely on contributions from part-timer Glenn Maxwell.

Australia are set to pick a pace-heavy attack in their 15-man squad today, but former 50-over star Hogg has urged selectors not to underestimate the importance of spin in winning big one-day matches.

Hogg would have liked to have seen a young leg-spinner like Cameron Boyce given a chance, but concedes the signs are all pointing towards safety net offspinner Xavier Doherty getting the nod.

Selectors gave Nathan Lyon a chance, before going back to Doherty in more recent times — but the bottom line is they’ve invested very little in making wicket-taking spin a priority.

Doherty has proven reliable in a holding role over the years but has been far from dynamic.

With the Cup to take place in local, familiar conditions, many believe Australia will go into the big matches without a frontline spinner, and simply rely on Maxwell to balance out the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Shane Watson, and James Faulkner.

Coach Darren Lehmann has made it clear in the past his preference is for Australia to go to their strengths and blow opposition teams away with pace and bounce.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to get his chance with the ball. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

However, Hogg, Australia’s second most successful one-day spinner who featured in the 2003 and 07 World Cup triumphs, says Maxwell isn’t enough and warned selectors about becoming too predictable.

“Glenn can do a fantastic job with the ball but in saying that he’s probably not the bowler or the spinner who is going to create those wicket-taking opportunities, otherwise we’d see him a lot more in Test cricket bowling spin as well,” said Hogg.

“I’m backing Maxi to play in the World Cup because he can change the game with his bat and also his fielding and he can do a job with the ball in case one of the five frontline bowlers isn’t doing the job.

“But you need a change-up. You can’t just go in there with all pace. If the opposition get onto you you’ve got no variation.

“Then you’re going to be chasing a huge score and relying heavily on the batters.

“I’d like to see a frontline spinner being picked in the XI … if you don’t it’s really hard to create that pressure and stop the flow of runs, but also to create wicket-taking opportunities as well.

“I think it’s vital.”

Former World Cup fast bowler Andy Bichel believes the grounds used for the showpiece tournament won’t suit the spinners for the most part.

He says part-timers will be key for Australia and is hopeful captain Michael Clarke will not only be able to play but bowl in the tournament.

“We’ve seen his back and his hamstring in recent times, but it’s a World Cup and maybe he might find a way,” said Bichel.

“There’s certainly a role for the spinner to take the pace off the ball.

“But I think the rule changes aren’t favourable to the spinner with the two new white balls and especially going to Eden Park (Auckland) and those small boundaries, and the drop in at the MCG, it doesn’t really favour the spin.”

Originally published as World Cup veteran Brad Hogg says Australia needs frontline spinner, can’t rely on Glenn Maxwell