With the high-profile tour of India fast approaching, former Australia skipper Mark Taylor wants the Pat Cummins-led side to explore the possibility of playing five bowlers in the third and final Test against South Africa which kicks off here on Wednesday.
The tour of India, consisting of four Tests for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, will take place in February-March.
Going into the final Test in Sydney, the hosts have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, giving them few other options to explore.
“They have a chance in Sydney to try a few things. I know people say don’t try things in Test matches, but with Cameron Green not playing I’d love to see Alex Carey bat at six and Australia pick five bowlers.
“They can attack all the way with the ball and rely on their top five and Carey to make enough runs to win the Test match,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
Australia has called up Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar due to injuries to Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green in their massive win in Melbourne.
“I think with the bowling they have there, whoever those fast players will be with, you have enough guys to take the 20 wickets. South Africa just made 200 in the last innings in Melbourne for the first time in four Test matches, their batting is very good at the moment.
“So I would try to attack with the ball and push yourself back to make enough runs with just five specialist hitters,” Taylor added.
Australia, currently leading the World Test Championships (WTC) table, will travel to India at the end of the engagements against South Africa.