A few weeks ago there was talk of Australia cementing a legacyThey can still do it, but it’s much harder after it happens demolished in perthFor now, those lofty ambitions may be tempered by what happens over the next nine days in Adelaide.
Australia was trailing 1-0 2018-19 series against India But the defeat was narrow (31 runs in Adelaide) and expectations were low due to the lack of David Warner steven smithThey leveled it in Perth but India equalized in the third Test in Melbourne Jasprit Bumrah Took 6 wickets for 33 runs before the fourth Test in Sydney was drawn. Need some reminding that it was India who went down 1-0 in 2020-21,
It is too early to say that Australia cannot retaliate – both India And Pakistan This year they have come from 1-0 down to win the series – but the rare home disasters of the past are beginning to be mentioned. there is one 2016–17 series against South AfricaWhen the defeat in the second Test in Hobart led to massive changes in the team. Before that, in 2010–11 Ashes They trailed 0-1 after the second Test in Adelaide, got up off the canvas briefly in Perth, then crashed in Melbourne and Sydney. Reviews, dismissals and allegations followed,
The team that collapsed in Hobart did not have the quality of this current team, while there were concerns about the bowling in 2010–11. It’s also worth remembering that Australia have suffered consecutive home defeats after West Indies’ Shamar Joseph-inspired win in gaba At the beginning of the year. The last time Australia lost three consecutive home Tests was in 1988.
What this means is that Australia has not faced such an important home Test for a long time. Win this and the bad week in Perth will seem a little less serious (and set up a potential classic series) but lose, 2-0 down with three matches remaining, and the possibility of India’s third consecutive defeat at home looming. Big. This could have significant implications.
They will have to do so against an Indian team strengthened by the return of captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Washington Sundar did his job in Perth, but it is difficult to believe that R Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja will not be able to add more strength to the attack. Australia have never lost a pink-ball Test in Adelaide, but they were also unbeaten at Optus Stadium until this series. The number 36 will be mentioned a lot in the coming days, but it is unlikely to leave too many wounds for the visitors, especially as they came back to win that series.
After Perth, Australia’s worries have increased even more with the defeat. Josh Hazlewood at least for Adelaide Due to a side strain and doubts over Mitchell Marsh’s fitness – it was believed that his performance in the first Test was underwhelming. Losing two players after one Test after such careful preparation will raise some questions. With only three days between the upcoming two matches, the depth of both the teams could be tested in the next leg of the series.
In Adelaide, the city of churches, there will be some prayers that the ball is not in Bumrah’s hands as night falls
There is no secret that this is a mature Australian team. Nathan McSweeney is the only player under 30 – effectively replacing Cameron Green in that age group – although the selectors have insisted this is not a factor in selection. Beau Webster has fully earned his call-up, but he has just turned 31, while Scott Boland, who could be Hazlewood’s replacement, is 35. This isn’t an issue when things are going well, but it can quickly become a focal point. When problems start appearing. For those who are closer to the end of a career than the beginning, time can move quickly and unexpectedly.
Another performance like Perth will sharpen the focus. Smith has now gone longer than ever before without a Test century, taking 23 innings compared to the 22 innings it took him to reach his first century. He looked promising with 17 in the second innings in Perth (the ball that dismissed him from Mohammed Siraj was brilliant) but the fact worthy of comment highlights the problem. Marnus Labuschagne has come under maximum scrutiny But among the current batsmen, Alex Carey is now the only batsman with an average of over 30 in Test cricket this year.
Writing in my ESPNcricinfo columnIan Chappell said: “If Australia loses the second Test, batting will come under the microscope. That’s when Australia’s lack of potential batting talent will create some selection headaches.”
As you would expect from him, Cricket Australia’s head of high performance Ben Oliver defended depth in the domestic game last week. To give some encouragement to the emerging players, Sam Konstas’Free-flowing century in canberra Even though the circumstances were a bit odd, it was on time. This follows his brilliant unbeaten 73 in the second innings against india a In MCG.
While Australia’s hopes faded in Perth, analysis turned many commentators into body-language experts, while the Hazlewood press conference when the match was effectively over wondered what it might mean about the rift in the dressing room. Yes, it has been set aside for this. Whether there is any truth in it or not, such things will gain momentum only if there is no quick reaction on the field.
This week will also put the day-night element in danger. Timing can be everything in these matches: face a new ball under the lights and things can move quickly. This applies to both teams, but Australia don’t have much room left for bad sessions, let alone days. In Adelaide, the city of churches, there will be some prayers being offered as the night falls that it is not Bumrah who has the ball in his hands.
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