Aussies must move on and focus on third Test
Roar Rookie By Brian Zhang , 14 Mar 2013 Brian Zhang is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- Australia v India, Cricket, Michael Clarke, Mickey Arthur, Shane Watson
Australian batsmen Shane Watson . AFP PHOTO/William WEST
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This week will be remembered as one of the most controversial and forgettable in Australian Cricket history.
But with all the off-field drama that has happened, the third Test starts on Thursday and Australia must win to avoid a series defeat.
The players who are available for selection, Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur must put all this horror behind and prepare for the Test match.
Without Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, another huge chunk of experience is lost but with the return of Brad Haddin there are some caps made up.
Haddin looks certain to play whether Wade is fit or not as he could play as the full-time keeper or as just a batsman.
With Pattinson out, it makes way for Starc to come back into the team alongside Peter Siddle and Henriques as the three pace bowlers.
Nathan Lyon looks certain to come back in as the frontline spinner and could partner up with Doherty, Maxwell or Smith.
Phil Hughes will be given another chance, while the question remains over where Michael Clarke will bat in the top order.
It is uncertain whether a vice-captain will be named, as over the last 12 months when Watson hasn’t played in matches there hasn’t been a replacement named. Candidates could come in the form of David Warner or Brad Haddin.
Watson and Johnson are two massive loses for Australia as both player played a significant role in the last Test Australia played in Mohali.
But having Haddin there, who has been around the Australian team for over 10 years now, makes up for it.
Having Starc replace Pattinson isn’t a bad thing as both players are equally talented and have the same wicket-taking potential.
The one thing that Australia may miss is having a third frontline fast bowler, as the Mohali pitch is set to provide for bounce and assistance to the fast bowlers.
India will be licking their lips and are ready to celebrate a series win considering Watson and Johnson aren’t there.
But Michael Clarke and Australia will be more determined than ever to get Australia back on winning terms.
The Ashes journey begins
The Australian cricket team have left Australia to begin their tour of England, with a mission to reclaim the Ashes.
Australian captain Michael Clarke and his teammates were optimistic about their chances before jetting off.
Click here to hear the thoughts of our Australian cricket team as they left for England.
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The Crowd Says (12) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Explore:
- Australia v India, Cricket, Michael Clarke, Mickey Arthur, Shane Watson
March 14th 2013 @ 9:39am
Rellum said | March 14th 2013 @ 9:39am | Report comment
Why is everyone so sure that Lyon will come back in. Didn’t he recently talk back to the coach. I can easily see him not being picked and we go with Maxwell, Henriques, Smith and Doherty in the one team.
March 14th 2013 @ 10:58am
Red Kev said | March 14th 2013 @ 10:58am | Report comment
One of the news outlets is reporting that Wade and Maxwell were looking very downcast after the training session yesterday and Maxwell did not participate in the spinners’ workshop with Rixon (Doherty, Lyon and Smith did) so it is a reasonable bet that the big show will be the side show and named 12th man and Wade will be ruled not fit to play.
Cowan-Warner-Hughes-Clarke-Smith-Haddin-Henriques-Starc-Siddle-Doherty-Lyon … doesn’t exactly inspire fear does it.
March 14th 2013 @ 11:05am
Rellum said | March 14th 2013 @ 11:05am | Report comment
It makes sense, he is a fielding allrounder
March 14th 2013 @ 11:08am
Red Kev said | March 14th 2013 @ 11:08am | Report comment
True, and it does allow one of the XI with fluctuating skin fold measurements to do a Ranatunga in the field.
March 14th 2013 @ 11:15am
Rellum said | March 14th 2013 @ 11:15am | Report comment
But they are not allowed runners anymore so those skin folds are doubly important.
March 14th 2013 @ 11:34am
Disco said | March 14th 2013 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Maxi probably thought his Uncle was gonna make him vice-captain.
March 14th 2013 @ 11:38am
Rellum said | March 14th 2013 @ 11:38am | Report comment
Just a serious note, if that is true, why wasn’t Maxwell participating in the spinning session. Do management think because he is not playing that he doesn’t need to bother, or does the big show think he doesn’t need to bother. Surely under this new regime of professionalism that he needs to be doing these sessions.
March 14th 2013 @ 11:42am
Red Kev said | March 14th 2013 @ 11:42am | Report comment
My guess would be he was given another task to do at the time (perhaps throw downs?). No way would he have been elsewhere if he was supposed to be part of the session two days after 4 guys were suspended for minor discipline infractions.
March 14th 2013 @ 11:48am
Rellum said | March 14th 2013 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Yes I figured it would be something like that, I did ponder why Smith wasn’t off doing the same thing as he is meant to be a Batsmen on this tour. Probably not his turn.
March 14th 2013 @ 10:38am
Bearfax said | March 14th 2013 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Get ready for another whopping.
March 14th 2013 @ 10:54am
John Wood said | March 14th 2013 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Remember to keep the faith with our boys.
The dulcet tones of the fat lady are not yet in evidence.
March 14th 2013 @ 1:54pm
langou said | March 14th 2013 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
is there a live feed of this match on The Roar?