Jon Holland set to get nod as Aussies ponder opening with spin for Test series against Pakistan

NATHAN Lyon and Jon Holland are set to be unveiled as Australia’s new spin twins, with the duo bracing for the possibility they could even open the bowling against Pakistan in the UAE.

Jon Holland looks the likely candidate to partner Nathan Lyon.

NATHAN Lyon and Jon Holland are set to be unveiled as Australia’s new spin twins, with the duo bracing for the possibility they could even open the bowling against Pakistan in the UAE.

Selectors have mixed and matched Lyon’s partners over the years, with Steve O’Keefe and Ashton Agar the most recent suitors.

Agar is still likely to be on next month’s tour, but it’s 31-year-old left-armer Holland who has emerged as the clear No.2 ahead of the squad naming on Tuesday.

Jon Holland performance in India looks to have helped his Test call-up cause.

SIDDLE CHARGE: Veteran roars back into Test frame

Lyon needs just eight wickets against Pakistan to eclipse Brett Lee (310) and Mitchell Johnson (313) on the all-time Australian wicket-taking list.

Incredibly, that will leave Lyon fourth behind Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee.

That said, the UAE is the scene of Lyon’s worst-ever Test performance when he took just three wickets in two matches at an average of 140.6 back in 2014.

Lyon is a much-improved bowler now and has conquered sub-continental conditions in India and Bangladesh – but against Pakistan’s dust-bowl warriors, he can’t do it alone.

Holland and Lyon bowled briefly, and without much success together in Sri Lanka back in 2016, but the Victorian is confident their combination can click.

Mitchell Starc’s electric pace and reverse swing will be critical, but there’s every chance Lyon and Holland will be required to take centre stage.

“I’m sure Pakistan will probably have some say over the conditions they’re going to produce for the two Tests, and if it’s conducive to spin and it’s breaking up and Australia is bowling on day five, maybe they will open the bowling with two spinners, I’m not sure,” said Holland.

“I’ve spent a fair bit of time with Nathan. I’ve played with him before and I’ve bowled with him in the nets a lot. I’ve spent a fair bit of time with him so I don’t think there will be any dramas with our relationship and playing out there together.

“Hopefully I’ll have another opportunity to play in the Test team alongside him.”

Mitchell Starc is expected to spearhead the Aussie attack. Picture: AAP.

Holland has been rested from Australia A’s second and final tour match against India A in Bangalore, with Agar and leg-spin hopeful Mitchell Swepson given one final chance to impress.

The only two Test matches Holland played were as a last-minute call-up for an injured O’Keefe in Sri Lanka.

Holland admits he wasn’t well enough prepared for that experience, and has learned from it.

He endured another baptism of fire in South Africa earlier this year when he was 12th man for the sandpapergate scandal.

Holland took nine wickets including six second innings scalps for Australia A last week.

Possible 15-man Australian Test squad: Tim Paine (capt), Usman Khawaja, Matt Renshaw, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Jon Holland, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Aaron Finch, Michael Neser/Peter Siddle, Travis Head/Kurtis Patterson/Peter Handscomb.

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