ADELAIDE (Australia) (AFP) - Australias final bowling spot appears to be down to a contest between seamer Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris for Fridays second Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval. Skipper Ricky Ponting, after confirming that Mitchell Johnson was dropped for the Adelaide match, indicated that the last place in the team hinged on the diverse bowling qualities of Hilfenhaus and Harris. Hilfenhaus appears under pressure after taking the wicket of Andrew Strauss on the third ball of the Gabba Test but then going wicketless in his ensuing 50 overs. Harris, who had a mid-year right knee cartilage operation, is in contention with his ability to bowl reverse swing in the likely conducive conditions of the deteriorating Adelaide wicket over the final days of the second Test. Ponting did not show which way the selectors were leaning and said both bowlers have strong qualities to merit selection as Australia look to find an attack capable of taking 20 wickets.Hilfys strengths are his ability to swing the new ball, hes a very consistent bowler and bowls in good areas to tie batters down, Ponting told reporters on Thursday. Ryans strengths are that he has played much of his cricket here, hes probably slightly quicker in the air, he hits the wicket harder than Ben does and probably hes the better reverse swing bowler for later in the game. Ben did a terrific job for us in the India in conditions that will probably be similar to what the wicket will be like here, particularly over the last couple of days.It makes that decision a pretty difficult one which is why we need a fair bit of time to think about it. Ponting said there was no concern that Harris may not be fit enough to last five days on an unforgiving Adelaide pitch. Weve made a big decision to leave one guy out, but we wouldnt be taking a risk on a guy who we thought had an injury, he said. It appears that left-armer Doug Bollinger, who was passed over for the Gabba Test because he had not done enough bowling after a recent side strain, will play in the Adelaide Test. Australia lacked a cutting thrust after holding an apparent match-winning 221-run innings lead at the Gabba only for England to compile 517 for one off 152 overs. in the second innings to bat their way to a draw.We have to pick the best team for every conditions we are confronted with during the summer, its as simple as that, Ponting said. Australia have only lost one of their last 12 Adelaide Tests. On their last tour, England amassed 551 for six in their first innings and still lost by six wickets.