Australia’s selectors are preparing for the upcoming Test series in India amid concerns over the durability of frontline pacers Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood. With all-rounder Cameron Green ruled out, the team is exploring bowling depth options.
Test Australia’s pace depth ahead of India Test series
With the highly anticipated Test series against India fast approaching, Australia’s selectors are gearing up to utilize their fast bowling depth.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood formed a relentless front-line pace attack last summer, but concerns surfaced over their ability to replicate that feat in a tough five-game series.
The absence of all-rounder Cameron Green, who is out for the season with a back injury, has further complicated Australia’s situation.
Home and New Zealand conditions last season proved favorable to fast bowlers, with none of the seven Test matches reaching the fifth day.
Australia’s bowlers also faced a limited workload. Only three innings required more than 78 overs. But the upcoming series against India presents a different challenge.
The Indian batting line-up is expected to stretch Australia’s pace to the limit in the seven-week contest.
fast bowling problem
Australia’s chairman of selectors, George Bailey, has admitted that the pace trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood may not feature in every Test.
“If you look at the rapid progress last year, we were certainly prepared for them to not be able to play all the tests, and they did,” Australian selectors chairman George Bailey said on Monday.
“Potentially this could be an outlier and we will be ready if adjustments need to be made this summer as well,” Bailey said.
Adding to the pressure, Australia’s pace depth was tested by injuries to their fringe bowlers.
Lance Morris, who was on the edge of Test selection, is recovering from a quad strain. Scott Boland and Michael Neser have overcome off-season injuries and are expected to feature in the upcoming series between Australia A and India A to provide back-up options.
universal dilemma
With Cameron Green ruled out, Australia will also be missing an important all-rounder who can support their pace attack.
Mitchell Marsh, who could replace Green, has bowled only four since tearing his hamstring during the IPL.
Bailey said having a well-rounded person is a “luxury” rather than a necessity, but noted Marsh’s workload requires careful management.
“Even if we see the three quicks playing in Test cricket normally, they have played a lot of Test cricket together where there has been no all-rounder,” he said.
“I think it definitely depends on the personnel available, the role that Cam and Mitch have played is purely being able to take a back seat to the batting and I think that’s still fundamentally the most important thing in the top six.
“We will continue to prepare Mitch Marsh to bowl overs. That has been part of his management over the last few months.”
“Pat has obviously done individual preparation, but looking at the Test team from the end of last year and building up to the first Test of the year, he said everyone has a little bit of a difference,” Bailey said.
“There are always individual views on what is the best preparation for a Test summer and I think the proliferation of franchise cricket means there are plenty of opportunities and temptations for players to fill in the gaps.
“Pat, Mitch and Josh are amazing with how they help us choose which franchise tournaments to play in and always give us a good break when it’s appropriate.”
Selectors are also considering Aaron Hardie and Beau Webster as similar replacements for Green, with Hardie set to return from injury in the next Sheffield Shield match in Western Australia.
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