THE Perth heat wave that is expected to reach 40 degrees during the third Test may save spinner Nathan Lyon's place in the team.
As the temperature rises into the mid-30s by the start of the Test Friday, a drying wicket and the prospect of using fast bowlers in short spells is expected to work heavily in Lyon's favour.
WHO SHOULD PLAY IN PERTH? PICK YOUR BEST AUSSIE XI
When Australia hammered England in Perth three years ago it was done with four fast bowlers. Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris claimed nine wickets each.
There has been considerable speculation that all-rounder James Faulkner, who was 12th man for the first two Tests, would replace Lyon after his disappointing performance in Adelaide.
However coach Darren Lehmann has played down the possibility.
"We'll have to look at the wicket first and foremost, see what it's like. If we think it warrants him (Faulkner) playing and the four quicks so be it," said Lehmann.
"But, look, it's going to be hot weather here - it's 35 and getting up to 40 on Monday - so we'll probably … I think we'll play the spinner.
"Again, we've got to work out who has pulled up fit from the last Test match, so good question. We'll see what happens."
Yet again Lyon struggled to make an impact bowling last in Adelaide.
He bowled too consistently short and managed just one wicket in each innings on a pitch that offered increasing turn, all be it slowly.
Lyon played in the Perth Test last season against South Africa and had a very mixed match.
He claimed 3-41 in the first innings but was hammered in the second innings, finishing with 0-128 and conceding almost six an over as South Africa ran away with the Test.
Lyon bowled well during the first Test in Brisbane, relishing the pace and bounce to take important wickets, finishing with match figures of 4-63.
The Perth pitch will offer similar pace and bounce and local hero Adam Gilchrist believes it will be good for spinners as well as fast bowlers.
"It really does prove a lot of value to fast bowlers but there's enough on offer for slow bowlers with some bounce and sideways movement," Gilchrist said.
Acting curator Matt Page didn't appear overly optimistic that the spinners would get much out of his new strip.
"Spinning wise you'll get the footmarks day four, day five," Page said. "You'll get a bit of turn out of there. Spinners here normally get the bounce more than anything."
And if the prevailing south-westerly, the Fremantle Doctor, is blowing, off-spinners can also get good drift away from right-handed batsmen bowling from the Gloucester Park end.
The WACA Ground has provided modest offerings for spinners in the three Sheffield Shield matches played there this season, with slow bowlers claiming 21 wickets at an average of 43 apiece.
The leading Shield spinner in Perth during those matches has been left armer and Trent Bridge hero Ashton Agar, with seven wickets at 43.
Former South African off-spinner Johan Botha, the South Australian captain, claimed five wickets with his unusual action when the Redbacks played in Perth a month or so ago.......READ MORE
As the temperature rises into the mid-30s by the start of the Test Friday, a drying wicket and the prospect of using fast bowlers in short spells is expected to work heavily in Lyon's favour.
WHO SHOULD PLAY IN PERTH? PICK YOUR BEST AUSSIE XI
When Australia hammered England in Perth three years ago it was done with four fast bowlers. Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris claimed nine wickets each.
There has been considerable speculation that all-rounder James Faulkner, who was 12th man for the first two Tests, would replace Lyon after his disappointing performance in Adelaide.
However coach Darren Lehmann has played down the possibility.
"We'll have to look at the wicket first and foremost, see what it's like. If we think it warrants him (Faulkner) playing and the four quicks so be it," said Lehmann.
"But, look, it's going to be hot weather here - it's 35 and getting up to 40 on Monday - so we'll probably … I think we'll play the spinner.
"Again, we've got to work out who has pulled up fit from the last Test match, so good question. We'll see what happens."
Yet again Lyon struggled to make an impact bowling last in Adelaide.
He bowled too consistently short and managed just one wicket in each innings on a pitch that offered increasing turn, all be it slowly.
Nathan Lyon sends one down during the second Test in Adelaide.
Source: News Limited
He claimed 3-41 in the first innings but was hammered in the second innings, finishing with 0-128 and conceding almost six an over as South Africa ran away with the Test.
Lyon bowled well during the first Test in Brisbane, relishing the pace and bounce to take important wickets, finishing with match figures of 4-63.
The Perth pitch will offer similar pace and bounce and local hero Adam Gilchrist believes it will be good for spinners as well as fast bowlers.
"It really does prove a lot of value to fast bowlers but there's enough on offer for slow bowlers with some bounce and sideways movement," Gilchrist said.
Acting curator Matt Page didn't appear overly optimistic that the spinners would get much out of his new strip.
"Spinning wise you'll get the footmarks day four, day five," Page said. "You'll get a bit of turn out of there. Spinners here normally get the bounce more than anything."
And if the prevailing south-westerly, the Fremantle Doctor, is blowing, off-spinners can also get good drift away from right-handed batsmen bowling from the Gloucester Park end.
The WACA Ground has provided modest offerings for spinners in the three Sheffield Shield matches played there this season, with slow bowlers claiming 21 wickets at an average of 43 apiece.
The leading Shield spinner in Perth during those matches has been left armer and Trent Bridge hero Ashton Agar, with seven wickets at 43.
Former South African off-spinner Johan Botha, the South Australian captain, claimed five wickets with his unusual action when the Redbacks played in Perth a month or so ago.......READ MORE
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