January 15, 2008	Tuesday	Muharram 05, 1429

PERTH, Jan 14: The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to clear spinners Harbhajan Singh and Brad Hogg to play in this week’s third Test between Australia and India has presented both teams with a selection issue.

Harbhajan has been allowed to continue playing while he awaits his appeal against a three-Test ban for racially abusing Andrew Symonds.

Harbhajan has denied the claims and lodged an appeal, while Hogg’s availability was assured when India withdrew a charge of abuse against him. The Indian board (BCCI) has also withdrawn its threat to abandon the rest of the tour. With the WACA’s reputation for suiting fast bowlers, neither player is guaranteed a starting place.

India already have one spinner in their captain Anil Kumble and the Australians are toying with the idea of calling up express paceman Shaun Tait.

“I guess history says that two spinners is unlikely at the WACA but Harbhajan is one of the strengths of the Indian team so we might look to play him,” India coach Gary Kirsten told a news conference.

Hogg could miss out to Tait, who is arguably the world's fastest bowler. Both teams are also facing the possibility of changing their batting line-ups. Chris Rogers has joined the squad on standby in case Australia opener Matthew Hayden is forced to miss the match because of a hamstring problem while Virender Sehwag pushed his claims for selection with a century in the tour match in Canberra at the weekend.—Reuters