Four quicks a realistic possibility: Harris

Retired paceman Ryan Harris believes Australia will open their attack with the ‘left-arm Mitches’ – Johnson and Starc – and hasn’t discounted the possibility of four quicks being selected for the first Ashes Test, beginning in Cardiff tomorrow night (8pm AEST).

Speaking with Melbourne’s RSN – Racing & Sport, Harris said he also believed Victorian paceman Peter Siddle would feature at some point throughout the five-Test campaign.

“I think Johnson will get (the new ball), and I think Starc will get it, but then (Josh) Hazlewood won’t be far away,” he said.

“The conditions, we saw today, are going to be very friendly to fast bowling. There’s a bit of grass on the wicket, and it was quite overcast today and the ball swung around and nipped around quite a lot.

“It’s going to be really fun watching our boys, with the pace that we’ve got, bowling to the English batsmen.”

In Australia’s most recent Test – the second of the series in the Caribbean – Starc shared the new ball with Hazlewood, with Johnson bowling economically at first or second change though with perhaps not quite his usual velocity.

Yesterday however, batsman Adam Voges said Johnson had very much rediscovered his “zip”, with the left-armer proving a serious handful in the team’s practice sessions.

"I love to have the new ball in my hand but, if I don't get it, that's no big deal," Johnson said last week. "We saw Mitch Starc and Josh take the new ball in the West Indies in that second Test and that seemed to work really well."

Video: Aussies ramp up preparation

The 33-year-old is likely to be one of just three players alongside Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin (Peter Siddle could be a fourth) to have played in Australia’s only other Test at Sophia Gardens, in which he took five wickets during a tense drawn affair in 2009.

Quick Single: Cardiff pitch puts Siddle in the mix

Harris agreed with Bupa Support Team fast-bowling coach Craig McDermott that Siddle was indeed in the mix for a return to Baggy Green, suggesting he could be called up for Cardiff or at some point later in the series.

“Again, looking at the wicket today, four quicks could be an option with the amount of grass that was on it,” he said.

“I think we will (see Siddle play) at some stage.

“He’s bowled the house down (on this tour). He played those two tour games and he’s been unbelievable.

“His line and length has been impeccable. He did a good thing (by coming) over here earlier and playing a bit of county cricket to get used to the conditions earlier in the English summer.

“He’s up and firing and he’s bowling at good pace and putting the ball in good areas, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some part to play in the series.”

Hazlewood meanwhile, was Player of the Series in Australia’s recent Test win in the Caribbean and last week said he was enjoying bowling with the English-made Duke ball, known for producing more swing than the Kookaburra ball used in Australia.

"I enjoy the Duke (ball) a lot," the right-armer said. "The wickets are a lot slower (in England) ... I've enjoyed seeing it swing a fair bit at training.

"There's always a little bit off the seam or in the air in English conditions, especially when it's overcast and the ball is quite new."

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