Michael Clarke could make his decision on whether to replace Ben Hilfenhaus with left-armer Mitchell Starc for the second Test against South Africa after training on Wednesday.
Incumbent Hilfenhaus is desperately trying to hold onto his place in the attack for the Adelaide match starting on Thursday, after a lacklustre effort in Brisbane.
Starc is favoured to come into the side for his fifth cap, but former skipper Ricky Ponting said Clarke had a tough call to make after Hilfenhaus made a late bid for a reprieve after amping up his efforts in the nets on Tuesday.
"Talking to the coaches, they are a lot happier with his work (Tuesday) than (on Monday)," said Ponting.
"They thought he bowled better and that's a good sign for us."
Starc's swing could come in handy against Proteas skipper Graeme Smith who has traditionally struggled against left-armers - namely Indian seamer Zaheer Khan.
The 22-year-old Starc said he had not spoken to Clarke about Smith's weakness, but felt he was in a better position to make an impact at Test level than he was when he debuted last summer in Brisbane.
"We had it swinging around in the nets (on Monday) so hopefully we can bring that out into the game, and hopefully get the ball to reverse a bit, where it's more abrasive on the dryer track," Starc said.
"(Australian coach) Mickey Arthur has said right from the get-go, there's a plan for everyone.
"He's been quite honest. He's spoken to me a lot about coming in around the team ... they have kept me informed and it's been pretty successful over the past 12 months.
"I feel I have improved my game and learnt so much being around the Australian team, then gone away and been left alone a bit as well, to my own devices."
Ponting said Starc was a special talent and predicts big things.
"I have been impressed with Mitchell and his development in all forms of the game over the past 12 months," he said.
"What he has done for Australia in one-day cricket over the past few months has been pretty spectacular and we are just hoping he keeps developing that way as far as his red ball cricket is concerned.
"When you have somebody who can bowl at his pace and a left-armer like that who can swing the ball back ... they're a very dangerous proposition for any batsman and a nice acquisition for any team to have."
Clarke could also decide on Wednesday on Shane Watson's availability as he recovers from a calf strain.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia First posted November 21, 2012 07:13:24
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