Australia’s nation selector, John Inverarity, admitted his concerns over the involvement of the national team players in the Champions League T20 ahead of their crucial series against South Africa.
The Aussies will kick-start their home summer from November 9 at Brisbane, which leaves many of its key players with little four-day action, owing to their commitments in the CL T20. The likes of Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Ben Hilfenhaus will be taking part in the 20-over format for the best part of this month, which puts their longer version preparations under considerable threat.
Also Cummins and Watson have dealt with various injuries in the past and with added workload, it means that the team management will have to use them sporadically in order to keep them fit.
"It is anything but an ideal preparation," Inverarity told News Ltd. "You just have to do your best but having the Champions League where it is now is not in the best interests of good preparation for the first Test."
With pace expected to play a huge part in the upcoming series, Inverarity was wary of the burden on the fast bowlers and has already hinted to use Starc and Cummins sparingly, while relying on Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus to share the added weight, both of whom have shown greater maturity and consistency in recent times.
Also with Ryan Harris injured, the team will further bank on James Pattinson to keep his good form intact, but Inverarity was adamant in the fact that the young pacers will all be rotated due to fears of breaking down.
“For some time you will not see him (Cummins) play three Tests in a row," Inverarity said, before praising the inform left-armer Starc, "He's been terrific. There is an advantage if you pick your best left-armer."
The main round of the CLT20 kicks off day at Centurion, which pits Big Bash runners up, Perth Scorchers, against South Africa’s T20 champions, the Titans. The other match will feature teams from India, with reigning IPL champs Kolkata Knight Riders locking horns with Delhi Daredevils.
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