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Border calls for more Aussie spin

By Kim Hagdorn
26 February 2013 04:10PM EST

DECORATED Test great Allan Border has implored Australian selectors to play another spinner against India in the Second Test at Hyderabad.

Border wants left-arm one-day spin specialist Xavier Doherty to join regular offie Nathan Lyon for what is expected to be another spin-friendly dry pitch in the Second Test.

The former Australian skipper and batting great expects either workhorse speedster Peter Siddle or emerging seam quick Mitchell Starc to make way for inclusion of probably Doherty.

"Siddle and Mitchell Starc will be under pressure for their spots," Border said.

"There will be a real push to play another spinner."

Border said in closing stages of Australia's First Test defeat to India in Chennai that greater emphasis must be placed on spinners in the Aussie line-up.

He did not discount a call to arms for off-spinner and hard-hitting middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell if captain Michael Clarke did not turn to Xavier for a call-up.

The Second of the four-Test series starts on Saturday, March 2 just three days after Australia's first-up defeat when the strategy was with just one specialist spinner, three recognised seamers and new all-rounder Moises Henriques.

Border also called on Clarke to bat higher in the Aussie order, at number four instead of the skipper's preferred place at five.

Border also predicted first-time sensation Henriques to move up the batting order, probably ahead of wicketkeeper Matthew Wade,

Henriques, 26, turned in a superb first-up double with 68 and 81 not out in stout resistance to India's intimidating spin attack on a dry and unpredictable pitch.

"On the performance we've seen, Henriques needs to go up one," Border elaborated.

"Michael Clarke is the man, if Australia is to do well on the back of scores from him."

Australia's batting was especially vulnerable to the spitting and biting spin from off-spin pair Ravi Ashwin, who took 12 wickets for the First Test and veteran Harbhajan Singh.

Ashwin continues to loom as a fierce threat to the Aussies.

The tall and lithe offie snared 12 wickets for just 85 overall with six scalps in each innings as India demolished New Zealand at Hyderabad in August last year.

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