Back-up quick Josh Tongue is waiting in the wings should England decided to opt for a like-for-like replacement for injured speedster Mark Wood, while selectors will also consider which players have previously performed well using the pink-ball under day-night conditions.
Traditionally it has been the fast bowlers that have dominated pink-ball Test matches in Australia and England pacer Brydon Carse suggested selectors have some plans in place for the expected conditions the team will face in Brisbane.
“We’ve spoken with the guys who have played some pink-ball games, and had a look at some of the pink-ball games that have been played in Australia in the past four or five years,” Carse said.
“On an evening, it does seem to do a little bit more, especially if you have a slightly newer ball, which I’m sure we’ll take into consideration throughout the game. It’s going to be exciting. I’m expecting a massive crowd, a hostile crowd. The guys are really looking forward to it.
“I think looking back at a couple of highlights of previous games played in Australia, it’s certainly very admirable how their new-ball bowling goes. You know, they strike early and I think that’s going to be important, whether that’s certain lines we’ll be bowling or maybe bowling a touch fuller to let it swing.
“They’ve played some really good cricket with a pink-ball. So, yeah, I’d like to say that we’ve had a look at some of the stuff that they’ve done over the previous years.”
