Australia deeply in search of future spin prospect

Adelaide, Jan 29 (UNI) Left-arm chinaman bowler Brad Hogg's days in Test cricket seem numbered with a poor performance against India and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill almost fit and preparing for his first-class return in the next few weeks.

Australia coach Tim Nielsen had said before the Adelaide Test that the Aussies lacked a quality spinner in their ranks and this was the most pressing concern facing the team.

Sydney and Adelaide, considered to be the best spinning tracks Down Under were not exploited well enough by Hogg.

Captain Ricky Ponting also preferred part-timers Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke over Hogg at crictical stages in the matches.

Shane Warne's former mentor Terry Jenner said time was running out for Australia and it should soon look for a young potential spinner who can fill the gap left vacant after Warne's retirement.

''It's sad for Brad Hogg the way it's gone, but I would have thought it was reasonably predictable,'' he was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

''I suppose if Stuart MacGill doesn't come through for whatever reason, we might have to go back a situation like we did with Shane Warne in his early stages; to give another bloke a chance in the national team,'' he added.

But with MacGill close to his 37th birthday and Hogg's inconsistent performance against quality sides, Australia might have to look at some other young prospects.

Hogg's figures in Adelaide Test were 2 for 172 off 43 overs and he finished the series with eight wickets, half of which belonged to Ganguly, at the unflattering average of 60.12.

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