Oz coach Nielsen insists on a spinner

Melbourne:

Australian cricket coach Tim Nielsen reiterated his preference to play a specialist spinner in the upcoming Test series against India, it was reported by the media on Tuesday.

Nielsen's statement puts at rest the speculation that the Australians are out to intimidate the Indians with an all-pace attack by including Shaun Tait as the fourth bowler along with Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark and that should also give left-arm spinner Brad Hogg a big boost.

"Hoggy was in the 13 for the first Test in Melbourne and I like the balance of a spin bowler unless it looks like it's really going to favour the quicks," Nielsen was quoted as saying by The Age.

Nielsen has also backed the resting of vice-captain Adam Gilchrist from the third one-dayer against New Zealand at Hobart Thursday, saying it is not a slight on the competitiveness of the Kiwis.

"I don't think we're being arrogant. We've spoken regularly about trying to look after the workload of our senior players," he said.

"We planned on playing two back-to-back games, so it was going to be a heavy load for Gilly (Gilchrist) keeping in two games and batting. Obviously, we just couldn't count on the weather.

"It gives us a chance for him to go home to Perth for a bit of a break and come back to Melbourne fresh ... (and) it's a chance for Brad Haddin to come into the team, and we can show off the depth we have in Australian cricket and be as competitive as we have been in the past."