SCG wicket tailor-made for pacers, Pak in dilemma over playing two spinners - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Given the history of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the Pakistan team management is mulling over the idea of playing two spinners in the second Test match starting January 3, but reports suggest that fast bowlers would get more purchase from the wicket. SCG pitch curator Tom Parker said the track prepared for the match will offer 'enough to the pacers' just like it did when Australia beat South Africa here last summer. Australian speedster Peter Siddle took eight wickets in that match to hand over a 103 run defeat to the Proteas. Parker said the pitch together with rainy conditions would allow the fast bowlers to do well. "We could have more showers on Tuesday and Wednesday.I don't see the wicket is going to crack up like it has in past years. It would turn to some degree, it always does here. Australia's bowling attack, the quicks will play a big role," The News quoted Parker, as saying. However, Australia opener Simon Katich believes that Pakistan will be dangerous opponents on a slow SCG pitch. Katich says the wicket is expected to take some turn. "It's such a short turnaround, the key for us is to try to win that first hour come Sunday," Katich said. "The conditions here will no doubt suit them. The SCG spins a bit and it's a slower wicket so we know we're going to be in for a contest," he added.