The answer to Australia's spin bowling woes?

It's common knowledge that Australia are struggling a little for quality spin bowling now that Shane Warne has retired. But there is a partial solution to their problem that hasn't been explored. Regular Cricket Burble readers will remember my frustration that Michael Vaughan didn't bowl himself more - the value of his bowling was clear for all to see at the 2007 World Cup and yet when England toured Sri Lanka the following winter, his bowling was hardly used - he allowed himself 3 overs only.

Now Australia find themselves in an uncomfortable position. (In the spin bowling department rather than their tour game as it looks like Yuvraj Singh's rediculously late declaration has left that match to be a boring draw). Cameron White is joining the squad now that Bryce McGain has had to leave the tour through injury. Yes, it's possible that White could take wickets, but I don't think there are many observers who will be staking money on that given his career to date. And given his match figures of 0-199 from 31 overs in the latest tour match, it would appear that Jason Krezca is unlikely to take wickets or keep it tight too. So Australia face the uncomfortable prospect of entering a Test match in spin-friendly conditions with only Michael Clarke to bowl threatening spin and that creates issues, as he has back problems that apparently can be exacerbated by long spells of bowling.

Yet one possible answer to this problem already exists within the current Australian squad - Simon Katich. The argument made by an Aussie writing in to Cricinfo seems a good one to me, but given that Katich hasn't bowled a single over in this warm up game, it would appear that he is not being considered to bowl. It's long been known at club level for someone not to get a bowl "because you got a good bat", but at Test level? Unlike Kevin Pietersen, who has claimed that he hardly bowls in the nets (what a stupid admission to make if he's going to bowl himself in crucial situations), Katich has said that he continues to practice his bowling regularly, so Australia know where to turn to. He may not take bundles of wickets, but he should be given the chance to show what he can do.