Clark to play, Ponting explores spin option

NEW DELHI: Stuart Clark will bolster Australia's bowling attack in the third Test against India and the visitors might retain Cameron White, captain Ricky Ponting said here on Tuesday.
    
Australia sorely missed Clark in the Mohali Test after the seamer injured his elbow in the first Test in Bangalore. In his absence, the Aussie attack sported an inexperience look and rookie pacer Peter Siddle failed to impress much in Mohali.
    
Disclosing the 12 members for the third Test, Ponting said, "Peter Siddle goes out and Stuart Clark will come back into the 12. (Off-spinner) Jason Krejza is in the 12 as well."
    
Though Ponting praised Krejza as an attacking spinner, Australia might eventually opt to retain White because of the nature of the track at Ferozeshah Kotla.
    
"It could be one (spinner), it could be two. Jason is definitely in the reckoning. I think the wicket is little bit loose at the surface at the moment and it would probably loosen even more later.
    
"We know Anil Kumble has a great record here, which indicates a spinner bowling little faster might prove more effective," Ponting explained.
    
Incidentally, the Indian camp too is yet to finalise its spin option with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh nursing a toe injury.

Asked if Harbhajan's possible absence might be an advantage for the Aussies, Ponting said his batsmen would not underestimate anyone.
    
"In Mohali, (Amit) Mishra did a pretty good job, taking seven wickets in the game. Yes, Harbhajan has a good record against Australia and he's a very good bowler. I believe he has got a sore toe at the moment.
    
"Look we will be ready for any team they produce on the day. We already have looked at Mishra last time and we know Kumble very well and know it's not going to be easy against them. They have done a great job in the last two Tests and we have to look at all those guys and would be ready for whatever team India put out," Ponting said.
    
Since they landed in India, Australia first roped in Greg Chappell and then had Bishan Singh Bedi and Steve Waugh in the nets.
    
Asked if there was a sense of panic in the side, Ponting said,"I don't think so. We have been looking around to invite some people to come along and have a look. Greg was the assistant coach in the first two Tests, Steve Waugh just happened to be here for some MCC things happening and I don't know how Bedi actually ended up there!"
    
Ponting admitted the reverse swing generated by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma has put the visitors on a spot of bother and asked his batting colleagues to put up a better show here.
    
"We've spoken a lot about it. Reverse swing played a very big part in the first two Test matches and more so in the last game where the Indians certainly outbowled us with reverse swing. It's now up to our batsmen, they'll have to play lot better than we did last week," Ponting said.