Why Australia may play three off-spinners in the Third Test against Pakistan

Dean Jones believes Australia’s selectors will have one eye on India when they pick the team for Sydney.

The Third Test against Pakistan at the SCG is a dead rubber after Australia won the Boxing Day Test, so selectors have the freedom to experiment with little consequence.

And Jones told Sports Today they’ll have the upcoming tour of India on their minds.

It could see three off-spinners taken to the SCG: Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe, and Ashton Agar.

Jones said leg-spinners – even Shane Warne – have historically been unsuccessful in India, with the single exception of Richie Benaud.

‘All the guys who have done well over there have been finger spinners,’ he said.

Jones said Australia needs to think differently to win in India.

India’s recent record on home soil is quite phenomenal, capped by a recent 4-0 drubbing of England in a five-test series.

They’ve also taken care of South Africa and New Zealand, both series finishing 3-0.

‘They haven’t lost a Test match (at home) since Jesus was a baby,’ Jones said.

The First Test in India takes place in Pune on February 23.

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