Michael Clarke is faced with a huge challenge this year, mainly the back to back Ashes series, but first the Indian tour beginning in late February.
I have outlined a few key points that are worth noting for in the upcoming series and my own personal predictions for the tour.
Ed Cowan cannot play spin bowling
Poor Ed, I was one of the many that pushed for his selection last year after the demise of Phil Hughes (who has recovered brilliantly in his most recent reincarnation).
I backed him on the basis of impeccable Shield form, which could not be ignored, however it has been slim pickings for Cowan since his debut.
In 13 Tests, Cowan has knocked up a mediocre 722 runs opening the innings at an unsatisfactory average of 32.81. One century and five scores between 50 and 100 clearly outlines that Ed cannot get the job done.
He has an infuriating habit of doing the hard yards, seeing off the new ball and getting out without going on and getting a big score.
To further compound the problem, Cowan looked all at sea on the final day of the SCG test against Sri Lankan tweakers Rangana Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Cowan is not a natural sweeper of the ball and uses minimal footwork to spin.
Unfortunately I foresee the Indian tour as Cowan’s last in the baggy green, if he is even selected for the tour.
If Cowan is dropped, Shane Watson is not the answer at the top
Shane Watson averages 43 at the top of the order, and understandably so. He has a good solid technique and plays with a straight bat, often looking to hit through the line of the ball and pierce the gaps early in the innings.
However, Watson is quite like Cowan in his dilemma against spin bowling. He is heavy on his feet as a batsman, and during his short stint against Herath in the Sri Lankan series, he looked unsure whether to come to the pitch of the ball or to play off the back foot.
While in the Boxing Day Test Watson used his feet relatively well against Herath, he is far from being the answer in the Indian tour to open the batting, as he shares several traits with Cowan, including his uncertainty against spin bowling and his inability to put together a big score once getting in.
Stay down Wadey
As I predicted not so long ago, Matthew Wade has all the elements to become one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen Australia has ever produced.
In nine Tests, Wade has chalked up 510 runs at 43 and already has two centuries to his name (more than Cowan, who has played 14 Tests, and the same as Watson, who has played 38 tests).
His ability to play different types of innings or change his approach mid-innings is a rarity, his raw hitting ability is scary and I see no reason why he can’t be somewhere near as good as Gilchrist with the bat if he enjoys a successful Test career over 10 plus years.
However his keeping to Nathan Lyon over the summer was somewhat of a concern – he kept well to the pace bowlers but missed three or four chances off our first-choice spinner over the summer.
He is a tough character and will work hard between now and India to rectify the issues. Wade has a bad habit of shot watching when keeping up to the stumps, resulting in his head being too far over the ball and having to ‘feel’ for the ball with his gloves.
Wade must be drilled super hard to stay down for as long as possible and watch the ball all the way, this applies in the extreme to India where the pitches have minimal bounce and spin a hell of a lot.
If he can do this, he is going to be one of the greatest wicketkeeper/batsmen Australia has ever had, mark my words.
Is Clarke burnt out?
Michael Clarke enjoyed a Bradmanesque year in 2012, but I am already concerned the golden run has come to an end.
He looks a tired man when batting, a product of having to carry the entire innings on his bat on occasions over the past 18 months.
In the SCG Test he reverted back to the old Clarke with a skied slog sweep on 50, and didn’t quite look his elegant self in the second innings to Herath.
I hope I am wrong, but I think Clarke may have a disappointing series in India. He has given so much to the team for so long now that emotionally he may have a bit of a downer in India.
Let’s hope not, as he is Australia’s finest player of spin.
Will the bowling have any penetration?
I really am concerned about the bowling attack for the Indian series and beyond.
Peter Siddle is an obvious first choice selection. While he doesn’t garner much movement, he hits the deck hard and toils away, the perfect bowler for India.
Jackson Bird showed that his pinpoint accuracy and swing will be a great weapon in English conditions, but he won’t find India a paradise. Does he have enough tricks to take consistent wickets?
Both Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson are erratic at times and leak runs with relative ease. They will both go with the touring squad, but playing them in the same side, as shown in Perth and now Sydney, is not a good idea. Do either Starc or Johnson have enough movement or tricks to take early wickets against India on flat decks?
However the most concerning point in the Australian attack is spin bowler Nathan Lyon, who’s bowling average seems to climb with every test. To be fair to Lyon, Wade, as mentioned above, has missed a few chances off his bowling, but Lyon simply does not have enough variation or flight to take wickets when the batsmen aren’t attacking him.
It will be interesting to see, but don’t be surprised if you see both captain Clarke and David Warner ripping out their part timers to compensate for Lyon, who’s bowling this summer has been pretty one paced.
My prediction: The series will be tied Australia 1 – India 1
India are a rabble at the moment, as seen when England won away to them in their recent Test series. Perhaps there is speculation that Australia should inflict a similar fate on the Indians when we tour there beginning in late February.
However, it is worth remembering the Indians were dismissed with relative ease by both Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann, and Alistair Cook and Kevin Pietersen combined at pivotal moments in the game to put away MS Dhoni’s dwindling Test side.
Australia is a team with huge potential, but in need of development.
The Indian series will be drawn, not won, but it will give us a better idea of who is a Test cricketer and who is not.
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Awesome input Mark very good thinking and I totally agree with all of it
James
Guest
Rohit i had the same cocerns but Kawaja has proven me wrong as well.
James
Guest
Well said Paulie. Hughes and Warner to open and Khawaja to come in 3, this will be our best top 3.
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
Why would they give us green decks if our pace attack is stronger than theirs? Their spinners have been in great nick, and given that that is an area in which we appear to be lacking, it would be foolish of them to tailor their pitches to our strengths.
Mark T
Guest
The selectors have to act now to be honest. I think that there's a very real chance that some blokes will be making their debuts or comebacks in a test at Lords which John Inverarity mentioned was something undesirable. The problem is that the Australia selectors have maintained the policy of selecting players in form, which is fine, but for the most part ignoring overall records. The young players with the best overall records in Australia at the moment are Hughes and Khawaja but they weren't in form at the time when players such as Cowan, Quiney, Forrest were. And this has led to much opportunity being invested in guys who have abysmal first class averages. Cowan's record isn't too bad, he averages 40 at first class cricket but Forrest and Quiney's overall records are poor. The good thing for Australia cricket now is that players with good overall records are in good form which means that the selectors must pick them. And I'm afraid to say that if a guy is averaging in the 30's in first class cricket, it's wishful thinking to expect him to do much better at international cricket. Sometimes it happens. Clarke averaged 37 in first class cricket in his early 20's. But in Clarke's case he was young and learning as a person and a player whereas Cowan and Quiney are already technically at the peak of their powers. Doolan has been doing well but unless he can back this up for another season at least and get his average well above 40, it's short-term thinking to select him. A top order of Hughes, Warner, Khawaja, is very promising. The kids average 50 in domestic cricket. Indian conditions will be tough but we must stick with these kids provided that they're working hard and showing improvement. I can't see any better candidates as far as batsmen are concerned. As I said at the beginning, the selectors have to make a stand on Cowan. The reason, I believe, that the selectors are persevering with him is because of Cowan's "team man" qualities. John Inverarity is someone who believes that people make a cricket team, not runs or wickets. It's true that those are important, but Inverarity is of the opinion that good team men like Cowan are essential for the future of Australia cricket. He may have a point but Cowan's form has been poor. A great investment has been made in him but perhaps it's time to tell him to get back in good domestic form and push for a recall. Cowan could return, he still has 5 years of cricket left to him, maybe longer, and maybe the pressure is getting to him at international level. A stint at domestic level without the axe hanging over his head might improve his development. A problem for the selectors is that in the Australia A tour of England last year, Cowan averaged 60 and was the best batsman so who replaces Cowan is unclear. The timing of Hussey's retirement was unfortunate but the guy's a legend and deserved to go out on his own terms. It does mean, however, that there's a state of flux in Australia cricket. Cowan could be dropped now but then who would replace him? Maxwell is an option and would give balance to the squad in Indian conditions as he's a developing spinner. A bolter could be Steve O'Keefe but that would weaken the batting order. However, whoever comes in, it's going to be a lottery and as Mickey Arthur mentioned, those who grab their opportunities have long careers ahead of them. It's an uncertain time in Australia cricket but an exciting one.
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Exactly!
Rohit
Guest
i was critical of Khawaja earlier in the season but I agree with Paul, in that where you score your runs does make a difference, do you think they will have nice flat pitches waiting for us in the ashes, they will have seamer friendly decks to help their classy fast men and that is where Khawaja comes through as he has scored on absolute green decks where the other teams struggled to match his individual scores, 140 against Tasmania when they got 90, 2 half centuries against NSW when they only got 150 and a 90 odd against South Australia on a green gabba deck on his debut for the Bulls. We need batsman like Hussey who score in difficult situations and none better then Khawaja as pointed out by Praveen.
Dadiggle
Guest
Bangalore releasing speed of the ball - 132kmph Speed of the ball when it hit the bat 112kmph. Slow pitch Kolkata, 141kmph and 114kmph. You can say that is dead cricket pitch with such a difference in pace and ball not coming onto the bat.
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
NOW that is bad news for Gambhir, I have always seen him as a quality player. It is interesting to note he hit all bar a few of his centuries in the span of 12 months or so! Now days he seems to get himself to 60 or 70 and can't go on with it (Shane Watson syndrome). He still averages 42 opening the innings though, much better than Ed.
matt h
Guest
That's scarey, until we remember that we lost that series anyway
Matt F
Roar Guru
Gambhir hit a century in 2010, albeit in January against Bangladesh, so it's not quite 4 years. It's still a long drought though. He's only averaging 31-32 over the last 3 years which puts him in Ed Cowan territory
Matt F
Roar Guru
I doubt that Hilfenhaus or Paine will go. It seems clear that Haddin is seen as the back-up keeper (they've also said that they may not even take a back-up keeper to india) and Hilfenhaus would probably be behind Siddle, Bird, Johnson, Starc and a fit Pattinson for India at the moment. Only two from the pervious series in india appear certain of going again this time - Clarke and Johnson. Watson will go if fit, but who knows if he actually will be.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
I can certainly see the young Australians being up to the challenge under Pup's leadership. India on the other hand... Their players are selfish and selectors are spineless. All the better for us if the has beens are still selected!
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Amen to that Paul!
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Spot on Paulie
Paul
Guest
If only D Hussey and Rogers had half the backing Cowan has had, 13 tests and still hasn't been able to prove himself. Now lets hope Khawaja gets the same chance or even half the chances Cowan has had.
Paulie
Guest
Agree wit Justin, i see Warner and Hughes opening and Khawaja at 3, Khawaja will be a long term batsman fo us and looks in great form at the moent. Give him half the chances Cowan had and he will prove himself. The Indian tour will also be career defining for Lyon
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Brian - Yes you are most correct. I can't see only 3 out of that previous squad touring however! Paine, Johnson, Clarke, Watson and Hilfenhaus will all go.
Brian
Guest
Yes the team in India just 2 seasons ago was Katich Watson Ponting Clarke Hussey North Paine Johnson Hauritz Hilfenhaus Bollinger (replaced by George for 2nd Test) At most 3 out of that team will now tour?
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Yes Frankie I could see that happening! It would be awesome to see for sure