Australian cricket team will re-model its pace attack for the Test series against Pakistan later this year, as front line bowlers faces slow recovery.
Three of the front line bowlers of Australia are going through a slow recovery, which leaves number one striker Mitchell Johnson as the only fast bowler standing from Australia's series-winning last Test in South Africa, which took Australia back to number one, News.co.au reported.
Ryan Harris is making steady progress from major knee surgery after being the hero of Australia's dramatic final Test win in Cape Town and James Pattinson has broken down again with stress fractures of the back. Jackson Bird will also be ruled out of the two-Test series against Pakistan in October after being forced to rest during the winter with ongoing back problems which first flared during last year's Ashes tour, report said.
This opens the door for the resilient Peter Siddle and exciting left armer Mitchell Starc to return, with metronomic NSW paceman Josh Hazlewood a bolter to grab the last fast bowling place. Ruled out during the early part of last season with shin soreness Hazlewood had a strong finish in the Sheffield Shield, claiming 22 wickets including 6-50 in the final against Western Australia.
Siddle was dropped for the last Test in South Africa, with selectors concerned about his declining pace, which had slide from mid to low 130kph. Starc has been another on the long list of fast bowlers with back injuries, missing last summer's Ashes series.
However, he played 14 matches in the IPL during April and May and will be part of the Australia A squad to play two four-day matches against South Africa-A in Townsville next month.