Perth likely to witness an all pace Australian attack

Perth, Jan 10 (UNI) Australia would be inclined to unleash pace bowler Shaun Tait at the pace and bouncy Perth wicket and greet India with an all pace attack for the third Test that starts on January 16.

Curator Cam Sutherland who is giving final touches to the WACA wicket clearly stated that spinners will not get much of assistance from the pitch. ''I don't necessarily think there will be a lot in it for the spinners.'' ''It is a much more heavily grassed surface than last year, and I think it will be quick and bouncy. Although carry is more the word than bounce,'' he added.

The news will not be a good one for left arm chinaman bowler Brad Hogg as the spinner returned with unimpressive bowling average of 51.50 in the two Tests against India.

The curator added by saying ''We are tending not to get so much vertical bounce, or tennis ball bounce. We are getting the good carry and skid through off the hard surface that is traditional in Perth.'' ''And I don't see it being a lot different this time. The four decks we have played on so far for the Pura (Cup games) have produced pretty good pace. And this one should also have it,'' he said.

The pitches at WACA have been relaid and the last week's three domestic Twenty20 games and Pura Cup were all played on four of the five relaid pitches which produced tons of runs. Sutherland said he thought the new-look square was getting better with each outing.

''I think it got better each game almost, it is hard to measure because it is still settling on us ... but certainly it got a good test with some good quicks,'' Sutherland said.

''It hurried a few shots up, but the ones who timed the ball it really flew because there was so much pace onto the bat,''he added.

With pitch five specifically saved for the Test, Sutherland intends to take most of the grass off so as to cut down the sideways movement.

Meanwhile, Australia have retained the same squad for the third Test. Australia played three fast bowlers and a spinner in the first two Tests played at Melbourne and Sydney, however, paceman Shaun Tait is likely to get a nod ahead of wrist spinner Hogg.

Hogg is scheduled for a disciplinary hearing before match referee Mike Procter in Perth on Monday.

Despite the injury troubles during the second Test in Sydney, opening batsman Matthew Hayden retained his spot. Hayden batted in the second innings with a runner because of a leg problem, which also prevented him fielding on the final day.

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