Hilditch happy with spinning pool
Australia's head of selectors claims the country is currently in a "good spot" with regards the quality of their spin bowlers.
From the outside, it appears Australia have yet to find a bowler anywhere near as good as retired great Shane Warne but Andrew Hilditch insists the talent pool is deep.
Nathan Hauritz is currently the country's number one spinner with Tasmania's Jason Krejza hot on his heels.
Hilditch, the head of the National Selection Panel, said: "There has been a lot of stuff about spin bowling. I actually think we're in a pretty good spot at the moment.
"(Nathan) Hauritz is bowling very well, getting better and better.
"(Jason) Krejza has made a lot of progress.
"Krejza was definitely considered (for the first Test against the West Indies). He's bowling well so that's a really good thing.
"He can obviously play at international level.
"There's a couple of young kids around the country we're watching closely as well."
It's the dearth of fast bowlers, Hilditch says, that's causing more concern than those who ply their trade off a few paces.
While the frontline stocks look healthy - Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus heading the pack - more back-up troops are required.
"We would like to get even more fast bowlers pushing hard for spots," Hilditch admitted.
"You need eight to 10 ready to go at any one time in current international cricket and we probably need a core group of three or four spinners ready to go."
Hilditch expects Hauritz to start in next week's first Test against the West Indies in Brisbane despite the Gabba's reputation for assisting the quick men.
That would leave Doug Bollinger to carry the drinks, with Shane Watson on hand to bowl his seamers if required.
"I've always said we really should be looking to play a spinner in most conditions," Hilditch said.
"My expectation is that we'll be playing a spinner (in Brisbane)."
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