Australian coaches defend not picking spinner in Manchester

No frontline spinner and a possible shoulder injury to Mitchell Starc have made Australia’s fourth Test task much harder.

Mitchell Starc added to Australia’s woes with an injury concern. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The Australian coaching staff have defended their decision not to take a frontline spinner into the fourth Test in Manchester despite a potential injury blow to Mitchell Starc and a nightmare second day.

More than 48 hours after the Australians revealed they had axed Todd Murphy, Australian legend Ricky Ponting remained baffled by the decision as part-timers Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne combined for just seven overs, which went for 51 runs, as England assumed control.

But Australian coach Andrew McDonald insisted the merits of the move were yet to be seen, with rain forecast for day four and Starc’s shoulder concern played down.

“We felt like on this surface, against this opponent, that spin wouldn’t play a huge part and we’re yet to see that,” McDonald told the BBC.

“I know Moeen (Ali) took a wicket in the first innings, but we’ll never know what it would’ve looked like with a spinner today.

Todd Murphy (left) was surprisingly left out of Australia’s team. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

“We went with a different attack and we’ve got to focus on the bowlers we’ve got.

“I think the pitch will start to play up. We’re a little bit behind at the moment to consider that and what it may look like to bowl on last.”

His assistant coach, former New Zealand spinner Dan Vettori, said it was too early to judge if Australia’s call to drop Murphy, who bowled just 9.3 overs in two innings in the third Test at Headingley, was the wrong one.

“With the thoughts on the wicket and with potential weather conditions around, we potentially thought the Test match would be of a shorter nature,” Vettori said.

“And also the way England play, how aggressive they are, it can shorten the game up a bit.

“It’s a selector’s call, but it’s one of the ones we will judge at the end of the Test match, not two days in.”

Vettori was confident Starc, who injured his shoulder in the field late in the day at Old Trafford, would be ready to bowl on day three.

“He‘s currently got some ice on it and we’re pretty confident it will be right tomorrow,” Vettori said.

Mitchell Starc injured his shoulder. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

“He‘s just one of those guys who doesn’t like to spend too long off the park. He just wanted to get on the field as quickly as possible to see how it was.

“But he got straight into a hot spot and three balls in a row came to him in the field and he didn’t quite feel comfortable throwing it – I haven‘t actually spoken to him, but that’s what it looked like.

“I think he felt confident that he could bowl just from his warm-up balls. When he was put to the test (in the field) three balls in a row, he just didn’t quite feel right throwing it in, so that led to him jumping back off.”