Speedster Jason Gillespie believes Australia can afford to gamble on the inexperience of fellow South Australian Shaun Tait or Queenslander Mitchell Johnson as first-change bowler for the upcoming Ashes series - although he has not given up hope of retaining his spot in the line-up.
.jpg)
The 31-year-old veteran bowler was brought into the team during the tour of Bangladesh in April, where he claimed eight wickets in the two Tests at 11.25 and created history by becoming the first nightwatchman to score a double-century with his 201 not out.
With Stuart Clark currently on the sidelines with a thigh injury, Gillespie's chances of holding onto his place in the team for the first Ashes Test, starting in Brisbane on November 23, have been boosted.
But he also readily concedes that he may never play for Australia again - and has urged selectors to pick a young bowler to partner the likes of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne.
That trio have captured 1438 wickets from 313 Tests.
"You've got to be a realist sometimes," Gillespie told The Australian.
"They (the selectors) can afford to go for an inexperienced young punk because how much experience is in that bowling attack?"
"You can have a young fellow come on first-change like a Tait or a Johnson and let them loose. Give them a bit of free rein. Let them enjoy themselves and have a good time. I reckon it would be a great thing if they picked a young bloke."
"With Tait or Johnson you get a bit of an X-factor. Tait can run through teams. He bowls with genuine pace, swinging yorkers and he's unpredictable. He's got some serious talent."
"Young Mitch is an extremely talented bowler. He's fast and he swings them. He gives you left-arm variety. He's obviously very green, but he's got plenty to offer."
"He just needs to trust his body, and he will as he fills out a bit more and gets stronger. He's going to be the real deal I think."
Tait made his Test debut on last year's Ashes tour before breaking down with shoulder and back injuries.
Johnson, too, has been plagued by injury but was impressive on the recent one-day tour of Malaysia where he claimed six wickets in two matches, including 4-11 against India.
"If he just keeps working on his skill, getting good shape and bowling good balls I think he's going to be all right," Gillespie said of Johnson.
