Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia could unleash the leg spin of Alana King and Georgia Wareham in tandem against England as they aim to extend their Ashes series lead.
Slow bowling has played a greater-than-expected role in the multi-format series, which the hosts lead four points to zero ahead of Friday’s third ODI clash at Ninja Stadium in Hobart.
King took 4-25 at Melbourne’s Junction Oval on Tuesday as Australia defended 180, their lowest score batting first on home soil since 2009.
Assistant coach Dan Marsh, who captained Tasmania to a maiden first-class title, said the Hobart wicket appeared drier than usual.
“It looks like it is going to be a pretty even wicket and spin may come into play,” Marsh said.
“I think (Wareham is) certainly in the mix to play. When the wicket is a little bit drier it tends to hold up and spin a bit.”
King has been the preferred legspinner for Australia in ODIs and Test matches, with Wareham the pick for T20s.
After two ODIs, King leads the Ashes series wicket tally with six alongside England left-arm spinning gun Sophie Ecclestone.
England allrounder Nat Sciver-Brunt said she had been surprised by the tweaker-friendly nature of the two pitches to date.
“Both have started a bit tacky (but) there has been a fair amount of rain before both games, so you can’t really help that,” she said.
“I guess before you arrive in Australia you expect to play on quicker, bouncy wickets. But that’s international cricket, it might look one way and then play another.”
Australia are chasing a sixth straight Ashes success in a series containing three ODIs and three T20s – each worth two points – and a four-point Test.
Sciver-Brunt said it was crucial England stayed positive with the bat and put the disappointment of not chasing 180 behind them.
“The skills required are already within us,” she said.
“It is a bit of a mindset shift in terms of sticking to our strengths and being willing to use those in any moment.”
Marsh said Australia wouldn’t deviate from an aggressive mindset, and believes the side didn’t falter by not pulling in the reins on a tricky Junction Oval deck.
“We’ll never look to target a 220 score, we’re always aiming a lot higher than that, in any conditions,” he said.
“We feel like we’re got the batting line-up and depth to really push the boundary.
“We didn’t bat our best in the last game but these girls, they’re quick learners and they’re very skilful. I expect to see a better batting performance.
“The more pressure you can put back on the bowler … you’re going to get more bad balls. That is certainly our mantra.”
