Australian Selector attributes Kuhnemann's selection over Agar to current form
Kuhnemann to play as the third spinner [Twitter]
In a surprising move, the Australian cricket team has made an unconventional selection for the second Test against India in Delhi, opting for three spinners and just one pacer in the form of Pat Cummins.
Furthermore, the team decided to hand a Baggy Green to Queensland's Matthew Kuhnemann over the more experienced all-rounder, Ashton Agar. Australian selector, Tony Dodemaide, explained the reasoning behind the selection, citing Kuhnemann's current form as the deciding factor over Agar's lacklustre performance in the red-ball format.
According to the Australian Test veteran, the West Australian’s red-ball game is not quite where he wants it to be.
"Matt Kuhnemann has come over and impressed. He got a chance in Sri Lanka, albeit in limited-overs form, he's played well in domestic cricket this season and he's impressed us in the nets. We just feel his style at the moment is more suited to these conditions,” the Aussie selector told reporters after the team was announced.
Dodemaide expressed that the team's decision to opt for three spinners and one quick was unexpected but was based on their belief that the conditions in Delhi would favour spin bowling.
According to their understanding, the pitch has already been used three times this year, with significant cracking in the areas where most of the game will be played. The 59-year-old added that the fifth bowler is essential in such conditions which is why they added Travis Head into the XI as he offers a valuable option as an extra bowler.
The former cricketer acknowledged that if Mitchell Starc was fully fit, the team would have considered a two-pacer and two-spinner combination.
.jpg "Pujara speaks")
 "Jatin")
