Cricket legend Mark Taylor wants Australia to consider a left-field selection for the fourth Ashes Test that will benefit the team long-term.
The hosts have the luxury of tinkering with their line-up, having already won the series and holding a 3-0 buffer over England with two matches to play.
Victorian paceman Scott Boland made his debut in the third Test and took seven wickets, including 6-7 in the second innings to win the Johnny Mullagh Medal.
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Now, Taylor wants Australia to hand a baggy green to another debutant at the SCG next week.
He wants leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson brought in.
The suggestion is to play Swepson alongside Nathan Lyon – Australia’s most successful finger spinner ever – and pick only two specialist fast bowlers.
“Australia has got the essence of a good side going forward. They need to find a suitable replacement in years to come for Nathan Lyon,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
“Maybe that is Mitch Swepson, and maybe they even give Swepson the next Test match.
“You never like to see Test matches used as trial games, but it will be interesting to see if Mitch Swepson comes into consideration for Australia for the next Test.
“Will they consider maybe playing two seamers, (all-rounder) Cameron Green, Lyon, and Swepson? That might be something depending on the pitch at the SCG.”
It’s rare for any Test team to play two specialist spinners in Australia. But Lyon and Swepson turn the ball in different directions, and Taylor says the Aussies must begin blooding a long-term replacement for Lyon.
The 34-year-old has taken 411 Test wickets in 103 matches. There was speculation he may be dropped ahead of this Ashes series, given he struggled against India last summer.
Swepson, 28, has played 49 first-class games for Queensland and averages 33.76 with the ball.
He’s been in the Test squad before but has never been given a debut.
If Australia was to only play two specialist pacemen it would be an impossible decision for selectors.
After Boland’s stirring debut he joins Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson, and Michael Neser on the list of suitable contenders. Hazlewood remains under an injury cloud, having not played the last two Tests.
“Australia’s greatest headache is who are they going to leave out,” Taylor said.
“The side looks very settled. I think Pat Cummins, the side has really responded to him becoming captain, and that’s a great sign for Australia.
“There’s certainly an energy in the Australian side that’s not in the England side.
“They’re filling a few gaps in their line-up. Cameron Green is getting better all the time, although we would like to see him get a really good score at some stage. But he’s solidifying himself in that No.6 role.”
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