Former Test captain Michael Clarke has seconded Shane Warne's call for a leg-spinner to be handed a plane ticket for Australia's upcoming tour of India.
Warne earlier this week pleaded for the uncapped Mitchell Swepson to be fast-tracked into the Test team for the third Test against Pakistan alongside Nathan Lyon.
Selectors instead went with left-arm finger spinner Steve O'Keefe, who all but cemented a trip to the subcontinent with match figures of 4-103 in Australia's 220-run win in Sydney on Saturday.
However that failed to deter Clarke from joining Warne on his crusade for a right-arm wrist spinner amongst three slow-bowling options for the four-Test series starting in February.
"I'd like Australia to take a left-arm spinner, and then a leg-spinner like an Adam Zampa or Swepson," Clarke said during commentary on the Nine Network.
"I think what selectors will want is to give Steve Smith options in India. I think the quicks are still going to play a part with the brand new ball and reverse swing. But I'd like to see a different spin bowler in India. I'd like to see them take a leggie as the third option."
Swepson, 23, is in the middle of just his second summer as a first-class player.
He's taken ten wickets for Queensland in four Sheffield Shield matches so far this season at an average of 43.00, and is considered by some as being too green for the international scene.
Zampa has yet to make his Test debut but is considered Australia's No.1 spinner in limited-overs cricket.
He's taken nine wickets for South Australia in three Shield matches this season.
Warne re-iterated his earlier arguments for Swepson's call-up, explaining that he was ushered into the Test arena before he believed he was ready.
"When I look at the spinners, Nathan Lyon's definitely number one for me. I think O'Keefe is the safe option. I think young Swepson could've played in this Test match," he said.
"People might say he's not ready, he hasn't played enough. I just think back at my own career. I wasn't ready for Test cricket either, but the experience helped me for the rest of my career.
"I think you play left-arm orthodox, you've then got the number one spinner, and then the wristy in Swepson. But even if he doesn't play, he's around the group and he bowls in the nets."
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