Australia’s performance in this Test series against India has been excellent in patches, with new skipper Steve Smith providing the most highlights due to his outstanding batting.
Ryan Harris, with that creaking body and his standard line of ‘the body is pretty sore’ as part of engaging interviews – I was fortunate enough to be involved in two of them for ABC Grandstand during the Boxing Day Test – was again very impressive.
Nathan Lyon, Chris Rogers, Dave Warner, Mitch Johnson and Shaun Marsh, despite the latter getting nervous on 99 and running himself out, have also shown their mettle in what has been a trying time for all of our elite cricketers in the wake of the tragic death of Phil Hughes.
However, the biggest plus so far in Australia’s summer of cricket, with the World Cup just six weeks away, has been the return of James Pattinson from injury.
Okay, I will try and not get too excited about the young fast bowler producing four superb overs for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash as part of yet another return from injury, but he bowled well. He clean bowled three good players in Mike Hussey, Jacques Kallis and Andrew McDonald to set up a big win for the Renegades.
It’s just what Australian cricket needs to ensure our fast bowling stocks remain strong and contain enormous depth.
Patrick Cummins continues to get overs into his shoulders and miles into his legs, and as Josh Hazlewood embarks on his Test career there’s a fast bowling attack that has the potential in years to come to dominate opposition batting line-ups.
Pattinson has already shown at Test level that he has what it takes to perform well at the highest level, but the body can’t stay sound. I am sure he is learning from Harris to play through the pain, which Harris has become very good at.
Former fast bowlers lament the tactics of Cricket Australia with their controversial resting policy over the years. These wonderful servants of the game have always said that the body gets used to the work load and how to play through the pain by constantly bowling.
There are very serious injuries like knee reconstructions or stress fractures of the back, which require rest and rehabilitation, but there is the general wear and tear that can be managed.
If Pattinson can stay fit and bowl like that for the rest of the Big Bash tournament then the Renegades will give the title a shake after a slow start. But fast forward down the track and think about a Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG, with more than 90,000 watching the first two overs of play, Pattinson at one end and Cummins charging in at the other.
I think we would all like to see that!
vocans
Guest
Alderman did his shoulder in the famous tackle, and could have been injured earlier. Thommo did his shoulder and I think that was later in his career. To be really sure we would need to trace as many bowlers from all nations as we could. I'm not up for it but it's the kind of stat that has some real meaning and use - you'll know the stats that don't. :)
Monday's Expeert
Guest
Terry Alderman, Max Walker et al didn't exactly look terrifying either but were able to do their job.
Matth
Guest
Based on actual performance in test cricket Pattinson is a definite starter when fit
Matth
Guest
Small sample size but I know that Lillee, McDermott and Reid all had serious injuries at a young age. I see to remember Alderman as well? Also if you look back through the scorecards we rarely played the same pace bowlers for more than a couple of tests at a time, but I don't know if this was due to injury.
Gus Paella
Guest
I just wish he would tone down the send offs. For mine he is as cringe worthy as Brett Lee.
Gobbler
Guest
It's just as important in test matches. Otherwise you'll be needing a new captain every test.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
He didn't look like a schoolboy when he knocked over 7 Bulls in a matter of overs in the Shield this season. I didn't catch the match today, but was this spell really representative of his skill in light of his amazing form in other recent matches?
JMW
Guest
True, I was thinking more Test than ODI.
blanco
Guest
Hazlewood is the 3rd best quick in Australia, strong statement but to me he has all the attributes. Fitness will come eventually.I remember quite vividly seeing Hazlewood bowl at the under 19 world cup and a few shield games and I remember saying this is the best young quick in Australia. Didn't know about Cummins yet and very little about Patto at the time. Fast track a few years against South Africa and this 19 year old cummins on debut dismantles South Africa.I can't make my mind up on which will be better but if they stay fit they"ll dismantle many a batting teams.
Jo M
Guest
True that, but he just looks like a preppy schoolboy. Don't you want to mess him up just a little bit? He didn't worry Kallis too much tonight, just found it interesting.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure that all bowlers need to scare batsmen. He's getting better results than basically anyone else in all three domestic forms. Not all successful test bowlers need Mitch or Steyn's mindset.
Jo M
Guest
I think he is another one that needs to appear more intimidating. Batsmen will respect his bowling, but he isn't going to have anyone "scared". He wasn't good tonight against someone of real quality, maybe old quality but still quality. Sometimes I just want to reach inside the TV and mess his hair up.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Jason Behrendorff should be the next paceman in line in all three formats.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Why not have him in the Ashes 2015? That would be a double benefit for the Australian team.
Dylan Richards
Guest
You usually need a spinner to get through the overs fast enough though.
Craig Watson
Guest
To add to my earlier post. Hazlewood could still have been suffering from his near body meltdown (multiple cramps)from his first test. Only had,what, three days to recover between tests.
Craig Watson
Guest
Is it any wonder Hoff struggled in his second test.He came into the series underdone having played no red ball cricket for several months and only some white ball cricket. The selectors in their wisdom decided to rest him. Go figure it.
Robbo
Guest
"former greats and a ranga" ..........cracker,! :):)
Peter
Roar Rookie
He bowled out a couple of semi retired almost 40 year old former greats and a ranga. Nevertheless good to see. So many quicks, and half of them can bat decently too.
Craig Watson
Guest
Came back after an ordinary first innings. Could have got three or four poles on the last day. So I would not call his second test a matter of second game syndrome. If he had got 0-200.. yes.