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With Australia still basking in the euphoric Sydney Test, which saw an innings victory and records broken at every turn, much of the focus has rightly focused on just how bad India has been and their rapid decline from world number one.
However, if Australia is to continue to improve and challenge England for the Ashes, they must have a cold hard look at their team and make sure that the weaknesses in the side aren’t being overlooked simply because the side is winning.
A look at the Australian performance over the last two Test matches does show the team is vulnerable, and a better side than India may well have capitalised.
A quick look at the Australian side shows that from one through to 11, there are still many question marks:
Batting
Despite the massive Sydney score, the batting is a concern. The top three are all players yet to establish themselves and all have question marks over their ability at Test level. They’ve all shown glimpses – Warner in Hobart, Cowan in his debut innings, and Shaun Marsh who looked every inch a stable number three in Sri Lanka and South Africa. We need to see more consistency from these players to provide Australia with stability at the top of the order. Australia cannot afford to be regularly 3/40 odd.
Prior to the second innings in Melbourne and the Sydney Test, massive questions were being asked of the middle order – particularly old hands Hussey and Ponting. Many wanted them dropped – and there was justification. It’s ironic then that in the two Tests against India, the players with the biggest question marks over them are now major reasons why Australia are 2-0 up.
Both Ponting and Hussey have secured their short term future, and unless it’s of their choosing, it’s hard to see either of them not touring the West Indies – where a weak attack and flat tracks will have them salivating. The concern leading into the next Ashes series will be how to manage their departure from the side.
I think it’s unlikely both Hussey and Ponting will be a source of consistent runs in the next Ashes series. For the time being though, it is clear they are Australia’s best options – particularly when the younger brigade haven’t been taking their chances and demanding selection. So, for the time being, their future remains assured. They’re scoring runs and there isn’t anybody demanding to be picked in their place. Shane Watson will return at some stage, but he can slot in anywhere from one to six.
Wicketkeeper
Probably the player under the most pressure is Brad Haddin. It seems one player is always in the fans and media’s sights in Australia. Runs for Hussey and Ponting have seen attention shift to Haddin. He had a poor 2011 with the bat and this summer his glove work hasn’t been up to his usual standard.
The absence of Tim Paine has probably taken some of the heat off Haddin, but a poor Sydney Test has put him right in the firing line. Unless Haddin performs in the final two tests, he will be under real pressure to hold his spot, with Victoria’s Matthew Wade liked by many.
Bowling
The bowling has been the big surprise for me this summer – particularly the quicks. Pattinson has been a revelation, Hilfenhaus rejuvenated and ten times the bowler he was last year, and Peter Siddle’s bowling well and taking vital wickets. Ryan Harris is lurking around the squad, and with Pat Cummins on ice Australia’s fast bowling stocks are the big plus the side has and the biggest threat to England retaining the Ashes.
The only real question you can ask in relation to the quicks is who to pick when they’re all fit.
The spinning position is a bit more problematic. Nathan Lyon started his career with a bang, and was solid against South Africa and New Zealand. Against India he hasn’t threatening and appeared to be protected by Michael Clarke in Sydney. Better bowlers than Lyon have struggled against India, so he shouldn’t be judged too harshly or quickly. The real test for Lyon will be how much he learns and improves from this series.
What does all this mean?
Australian cricket is now clearly in a much stronger position going forward than it was a month ago. The debacle in Hobart against the Kiwis does seem a long time ago. It’s clear, though, there are still some areas for concern in the side.
All of these areas will need to be addressed well before the next Ashes series, because without a stable line up and players who have certainty in their role, Australia’s job will be that bit harder.
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