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Nathan Hauritz - Source: Photosport -
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Australia will consider entering the crucial second cricket Test against South Africa without a specialist spinner, according to coach Tim Nielsen.
The MCG has not favoured much spin in domestic cricket this season, and Australia are yet to settle on the bowling attack they will play on Boxing Day in a match the home side must win to keep the series alive.
Having failed to defend 413 in the final innings of the first Test in Perth, when the Proteas won by six wickets, Australia must select the attack which will claim 20 wickets.
Australia have the options of playing four fast bowlers in Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and debutant Ben Hilfenhaus, or selecting a traditional attack of three quicks and spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Allrounder Shane Watson also provides another option with his fast-medium pace.
Nielsen said he favoured the idea of playing a spinner, but would not guarantee Hauritz a start until the Australians had assessed the conditions closer to the game.
"It's something we'll look at," he said on Tuesday.
"Certainly in the Sheffield Shield matches they've played here, they haven't used spin a lot.
"Josh Mangan only bowled three overs in a game for Western Australia last week and having had a view of the dismissals that have happened in those games here this year it has been for the quicks.
"..... I said before Perth I like the balance of having a spinner in the side, so ..... that's the way I'd be thinking.
"But it's probably still a little bit early to make that decision yet."
Nielsen and Australian batsman Mike Hussey were also confident out-of-sorts opener Matthew Hayden could rediscover his form and produce another big innings in Melbourne.
Hayden has scored six centuries from his past seven Tests at the MCG, but the 37-year-old has struggled for most of 2008, having scored 282 runs at 23.50 from his past seven matches.
Nielsen said Hayden had not indicated he was contemplating retiring, and wanted to play on in 2009.
"My understanding and talking to Matthew is that he's committed to playing for Australia," he said.
Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday Nielsen had signed a two-year extension to his contract, which puts him in charge until after the 2011 World Cup.
Although focused on squaring the series against South Africa, Nielsen said the new deal would allow him to plan for overseeing Australia's transitional phase.
"With all the cricket we've got coming up in the next 12 or 18 months it's nice to have that put to bed, nice to know that we can plan all the way down to the 2011 World Cup," he said.
"We've got some young players coming into the group and I'm feeling really excited about the opportunity that I've had ..... (to help) maintain our standing as one of the strengths of world cricket."
