Australia mull five specialist bowlers for Boxing Day Test against New Zealand

Australia could play five specialist bowlers against New Zealand during second Test, captain Tim Paine said Wednesday, with decision being left until last moment. Melbourne Cricket Ground track has been lifeless during past two Boxing Day Tests, making it hard to take 20 wickets, although a Sheffield Shield match re this month was abandoned due to a dangerous pitch. With this in mind, Paine said a decision would only be made after a late inspection.

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Australia mull five specialist bowlers

But one scenario could be a five-pronged attack, in which Queensland seamer Michael Neser likely makes his debut.

"We'll find out tomorrow. wicket is a bit unkwn... but we've got a plan in place for both scenarios (with five bowlers or without)," Paine told reporters on Wednesday.

"We've probably got two different teams (in mind), to be honest, so we'll make final call tomorrow." Australia traditionally play only four frontline bowlers -- three quicks and spinner.

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According to Cricket Australia, y have only fielded five once before in past decade -- at 2013 Sydney Test against Sri Lanka. If y go down this route on Thursday, Neser is set to line up alongside Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, with James Pattinson replacing injured Josh Hazlewood. Travis Head is expected to be fall guy, with wicketkeeper Paine moving up batting order to six.

"Our batting team has been scoring a lot of runs so if we were to go one more bowler, we would be comfortable y could do job," said Paine.

" bowlers we would be bringing in can all bat so while we're taking a batter out, we're probably lengning our line-up." Australia head into Melbourne clash on back of three wins at home this summer -- two against Pakistan before ir 296-run thrashing of New Zealand in first Test at Perth, a day-night affair.

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Marnus Labuschagne has been ir star batsman, smashing his third century in a row at Perth before a second-innings 50. In contrast, Steve Smith, ir hero during Ashes against England this year, has mand only 43 and 16 in his last two innings, out twice to short balls from Neil Wagner. It followed a quiet series against Pakistan and he is keen to pile on some runs in Melbourne.

"I've been facing a fair bit of short stuff in nets because I'm expecting a bit (in Melbourne)," Smith said.

"It's going to be completely different with red ball as opposed to pink ball, particularly (compared) to second innings in Perth when it was a bit up and down with cracks and stuff.

"It's going to be different, but I'm looking forward to it."

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