Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Australia managed to play Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for all seven Test matches last summer but the same may not happen when India travel Down Under for a five-match series. Last season, Australia played Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand and in only three innings, they had to bowl over 78 overs. It kept the pacers fresh, which eventually helped them play all the matches.
Against India, things aren’t going to be simple. Cummins assessed the challenge and noted the importance of having all-rounders in the squad, who would help the regular pacers. After David Warner retired from Test cricket, Cameron Green took his place, which gave Australia an additional bowling option but his service wasn’t required much, as the 25-year-old bowled only 42 overs across four matches.
The captain talked about the same and stated that the upcoming summer will be different, more so, as Australia have lost to India twice at home in the last six years. Cummins added that they would lean towards Green more this time and Mitchell Marsh would also be used.
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“It’s been huge (having the allrounders). In some ways we haven’t had to use them as much as we thought we would. Which is a great thing. The last couple of summers have been pretty light (with) quick Test matches,” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“I suspect this summer might be a bit different at time. We’ll be drawing on Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit more. Even someone like Cam basically started in Shield cricket as a bowler but hasn’t had to bowl heaps in Test matches. Now he is a few years older, I think we will be leaning on him a bit more,” he added.
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Cummins lauded his players and mentioned that Green and Marsh would make it to the playing XI for their batting alone. However, it is a luxury for them to have two cricketers out of the top six who can bowl and can assist the pacers whenever required.
“The first point is they both absolutely make the top six on their batting alone which is a luxury. We’re really lucky that Nathan Lyon bowls plenty of overs, so you don’t necessarily have to have an allrounder, but it makes a big difference to have that fifth bowling option. And with someone like Cam and Mitch we have six bowling options. It’s a really nice thing to have. Top six should always make the team on their batting,” he said.