SYDNEY, Dec 17: Indian spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh has aimed Brad Hogg, saying he thinks there are no quality spinners in Australia after wizard Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill.

With the Indian squad due to arrive Down Under on Tuesday to prepare for the Boxing Day Test, Harbhajan has hurled an early verbal blow as the Aussies consider whether to operate with four pacemen or rely on Hogg.

The Indians would like Hogg to be picked for the Test series opener at the MCG.

“From our point of view, we would be happy to see how Hogg would go against the best players of spin in the world,” Harbhajan told the Sydney Morning Herald. “It would be a big test for him, and we all know how he bowls.”

Harbhajan added: “Hogg was not close to the class of Warne and MacGill”. “If they play Hoggy, I will wish him all the best because I have nothing against him, but I would be happy to see him bowl at our batsmen.”

Hogg has been a key campaigner for Australia in One-day Internationals. However, he has not played a Test since the Zimbabwe series in 2003. He has featured in only four Tests and was a part of the squad for the first against Sri Lanka in November.

MacGill was due to be the No. 1 spinner after Warne’s departure, but that changed when he had an operation on his wrist in the hope of correcting carpal tunnel.

Meanwhile, Geoff Lawson, the Pakistan coach, said Australia would be happier not using Hogg on the Boxing Day.

“It depends on how the pitches are looking, of course, but India doesn’t have a problem playing spin,” the former Aussie Test paceman said. “Hogg has been great in ODIs cricket but I think Australia should use four quicks.”—Agencies