England Warm Up Match - Day 3
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 03: Jack Leach of England bowls during Day Three of the England Warm Up Match at the Ageas Bowl on July 03, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images for ECB)
England Warm Up Match - Day 3

Selecting a spinner at the Adelaide Oval has been described as a "non-negotiable" by Australian batter Travis Head as England ponder tough bowling selections ahead of the second Test.

England skipper Joe Root admits the pressure is mounting to recall James Anderson and Stuart Board following their omissions in Brisbane, leaving little room for Jack Leach to retain his spot as the tourists' spinning option.

Leach was bashed out of the attack at the Gabba, taking 1/102 from just 13 overs, in what appeared to be a premeditated onslaught by the Australians.

Travis Head pointed to Australia's spin bowling credentials to demonstrate the role of a spinner in the upcoming Test.

"Lloyd pope for South Australia has spun the ball, I’ve spun the ball every now and then which is rare … whenever we play Nathan here for NSW he’s almost been near impossible to hit," he said speaking to the media.

"One with how consistent (Lyon) is but also the bounce and turn he can get from this wicket. He’s going to love coming here.

"We’ve already spoken about the thatchiness of the grass, the way the ball can grip.

"It’s going to offer him great spin throughout the whole game, we won’t see it change. We might get some foot holes late day four or five but traditionally the ball has spun off the straight from day one, so I think he’s hugely in the game."

Like many England players, Leach was severely under-prepared for the first Test, having carried the drinks the entire 2021 English summer. He had not played a Test since England's unsuccessful tour of India in March.

England are facing several selection headaches ahead of the Adelaide Test, which may see them opt for four seamers like they did in the last northern summer. However, part-timers Moeen Ali and Joe Root shared the spinning overs last season, whereas Ben Stokes - another seam bowler - will now be the fifth bowling option in Adelaide.

Whether it is sage advice or a bout of verbal gamesmanship, the Aussies have warned England about taking five fast bowlers into the Adelaide Test.

The pink ball is set to favour the seamers, but Adelaide's roasting temperatures (reaching 37 degrees on Friday) and a typically flat wicket may require Leach's services. A spinner is also thought to provide a chop-out for the quicks, as well as increase England's over rate, which was dismal in Brisbane.

Root offered Leach some hope of selection during his pre-match press conference by noting that two out of the three sessions are during the day and that the pitch looks flat.

England have also brought off-spinner Dom Bess on tour, who managed to take six wickets for the England Lions against Australia A last week.