da prosport bet： Nathan Bracken has returned to a ground of fond memories and is waiting toadd to his record
Peter English at the Gabba01-Nov-2005
Nathan Bracken: hoping for another bagful of wickets at the Gabba © Getty Images
Nathan Bracken has returned to a ground of fond memories and is waiting toadd to his record. The swing-friendly Gabba was the scene of his Test debutand he picked up 6 for 27 in the Pura Cup final in March, setting up NewSouth Wales’ victory. On Thursday it should be the venue for his fourthTest.With Shane Watson installed as the team’s allrounder, Australia’s bowlingdecision rests on whether Bracken’s left-arm movement is preferred to StuartMacGill’s legspin. Bracken’s variation and the traditionally humidconditions mean it should be a simple decision despite the success of theShane Warne-MacGill combination during the Super Test. However, a startagainst West Indies this week will not guarantee a fulltime place for thesummer after Trevor Hohns indicated MacGill would be a strong contender forthe second and third matches in Hobart and Adelaide.”If I can play the whole series then great,” Bracken said as the groundstaff rolled grass clippings into an already hard pitch. “But if I getcalled in because of conditions then that’s how it is. I’ve got to make itso that when they do want to play the extra quick I’m the one.”Bracken’s bowling has improved dramatically since he captured six wickets inthree Tests against India in 2003-04 and he credited Bruce Reid, the formerAustralia left-arm bowler, for his resurgence. He’d been swinging the ballproperly for only four months as he ran in on debut, but he now hastwo-and-a-half years of understanding and fine-tuning.”During the [India] series when the ball wasn’t swinging I didn’t know howto change that,” he said. “Now I’m able to monitor how I’m going and dothings on the spot. Yesterday at training I didn’t feel comfortable so Iwent aside with a red and white ball, bowled three or four balls, got itright and started swinging the ball.”Brisbane has also been helpful to Bracken under match conditions and thesurface will give him the chance to seal a place as the summer’s on-callseam option. “I enjoy coming up here and the last three times I’ve got five,four and six wickets,” he said. “Ideally it’d be great taking five-for, butit’s just great getting out there. If I become a key member I can’t beoverlooked.”