The series-defining input of Rishabh Pant and Ben Stokes in recent Tests against Australia have underlined how badly the Aussies lack a dynamic middle-order batsman capable of changing the tempo of an innings.
Australia’s most painful Test losses of the past two years both were driven by counterattacking knocks from aggressive middle-order players – Pant at Brisbane last month and Stokes at Headingley in 2019.
All of Australia’s chief foes in Tests boast a batsman between five and seven in their order with the ability to explode when they choose.
India and England have Pant and Stokes, respectively, New Zealand have forceful all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme (Test batting strike rate of 82) and South Africa have dashing wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock (strike rate 71).
Australia’s best middle-order combo is Travis Head (strike rate 49), Cameron Green (strike rate 40) and Tim Paine (strike rate 45). Between them, that middle-order trio on average score at just 2.7 runs per over. Of course, there are often circumstances where such a sedate scoring rate is acceptable, or even appealing.
But there are also many times when a Test batting line-up needs to up the ante, whether looking to counterpunch from a position of relative weakness or to push the game forward from a position of strength.
This is where Australia’s main rivals have a clear edge due to their possession of at least one damaging strokemaker.
Balance is crucial to any cricketing XI, and one of the key ways that is achieved is through variety. Australia’s Test attack has been successful in recent years due to the fact it covers so many bases – pace, height, accuracy, swing, a left-arm angle and a quality spinner are all rolled into one unit.
Batting line-ups, too, can benefit greatly from points of difference. A one-paced top seven is much easier for opponents to plan against. Contrasts are invaluable. For example, Test cricket observers often talk about the value of a left-right opening combination or the pairing of a precise seamer with an express strike bowler.
It’s less commonly remarked how effective it can be to partner a defensive batsman with an aggressive one. Yet right now, perhaps the most difficult combination to bowl to in Test cricket may well be India’s stonewalling Cheteshwar Pujara and shotmaking Rishabh Pant. The chasm between their batting approaches puts great strain on opposition bowlers to constantly readjust and skippers to regularly alter their strategies.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Pujara’s solidity emboldens Pant. Safe in the knowledge his partner has one end locked down, Pant can indulge his mercurial, instinctive talents.
With Pujara in tow, Pant destroyed Australia in the decisive fourth innings of the final two Tests this summer. Last week, in the first Test in Chennai against England, Pujara was again by Pant’s side as he threatened to bat India back into that match. Coming in with India stumbling at 4-73, Pant went after the England attack, thrashing an outrageous 91 from 88 balls.
It was an innings that changed the tempo and mood of the Test. England went from being in a position of crushing dominance to looking rattled as Pant thumped five sixes. Granted, England went on to win the Test comfortably due to their massive first innings total, but Pant’s blitzkrieg was the only juncture in that match when the visitors appeared truly vulnerable.
Earlier in that Test, England’s advantage had been rammed home by a daring Stokes innings of 82 from 119 balls, including three big sixes.
Which brings us back to Australia’s weakness. In the past five years, there have been eight Aussies who’ve played a minimum of five Tests while batting in the middle order. Here are the middle order Test strike rates of those players in the past five years:
Matthew Wade: strike rate 52
Mitch Marsh: strike rate 50
Travis Head: strike rate 49
Peter Handscomb: strike rate 47
Tim Paine: strike rate 46
Shaun Marsh: strike rate 41
Adam Voges: strike rate 39
Peter Nevill: strike rate 28
Even after their all-conquering era finished around 2008, Australia for a good while after always had at least one middle-order batsman in their side who could take on the opposition when required. The likes of Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin all had that extra gear.
Now there’s no such player, and there hasn’t been in the Aussie line-up for a long time. The only Australian middle-order batsman who has shaped to potentially fill that gap has been Glenn Maxwell. I won’t delve deeply into his shocking mistreatment by the selectors, as I and many other writers have covered it ad nauseam.
(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Maxwell recently conceded he’s all but given up on pushing for a Test comeback. Australia do need to start considering the one-pace nature of their Test batting line-up. It was particularly noticeable while attacking opener David Warner was absent in the series against India as the Aussies scored at a snail pace, keeping the tourists in the contest.
Of course, you don’t simply pluck a Pant, Stokes, de Kock or de Grandhomme from nowhere. But Australia may well need to reconsider the variety and balance of their batting line-up over the next year or two. It could be time for them to give an opportunity to another swashbuckling keeper-batsman once Paine retires. WA’s Josh Inglis is an enticing option.
Not only is he arguably the best gloveman in the country after Paine, but he’s also a dynamic batsman with every shot in the manual, plus a few others as well. Inglis has bullied attacks in the domestic one-day and BBL competitions and is developing into a dangerous red-ball batsman. The 25-year-old this summer has hammered 354 runs at 118 in the Sheffield Shield with a blistering strike rate of 86.
Inglis may just be the man to add a point of difference, a change of tempo, to the Aussie Test batting line-up in the near future.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
James whiteman in this current shield season is averaging 55. It is definitely a small pool of results but promising . The next round of shield games will complete this year’s pool and give us a match better idea I think. It’s hard to always go on shield form as head has a higher average and Sean marsh has been phenomenal. Also some of the pitches have been batting roads for some of them. Although he’s played only two matches harris has double whiteman average who has had 4 matches . Basically we need to see more matches this season but whiteman , inglis , mcdermott seem promising . The shield teams will be pretty high end with our best talent for these upcoming games which is a good thing http://www.sportskeeda.com/go/sheffield-shield/stats
JamesH
Roar Guru
Harris has only played 10 tests, broken into three separate stints in the side. All but two of those tests were against India (home) or England (away), which is not exactly the easiest assignment. And he was our best batsman in that first India series. Given that he’s been averaging near 60 in Shield cricket for a few years I think he deserves a proper run in the test team if there is a spot up for grabs. Whiteman averaged 27 with the bat in 10 digs last Shield season so I can’t see how he is an option in the short term, unless he absolutely dominates over the remainder of the summer.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That’s the problem simoc . Paine staying on until he is pushed leads to poor results like series against india . We can slot inglis and carey in on batting and work out keeping between them over time if paine is out and carey is very solid abroad with bat . If we can’t find someone to open with pucovski such as a whiteman then we have to open with labs as warner probably should arguably go after ashes too given his away record although no doubt they will persist with him abroad . The answer may be to elevate labs as he has effectively opened well many times in any event due to poor opening bats . With paine and eventually warner moved on we can rejuvenate this team with some amazing batting potential in middle with mcdermott inglis and carey in same batting team . Labs and pucovski opening. Whiteman may come good at test level to open and pucovski also needs a whole series too but I feel we must look to the future with a confident batch of young guys around smith labuschagne and carey
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Faf pulled the pin on test cricket, must have seen your comment Paul!
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Geez I think harris has had enough opps and so many poor test innings don't think he's had any centuries . I'd probably elevate labs in front of whiteman as labs has proven he can open well but no doubt about it we have a real problem on our hands still with openers and not enough test cricket to work it outn
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I'd agree james . A little more shield time for inglis . I also always thought carey could bat alongside paine as far back as the ashes where he came out of the scinatllitting world cup effort over 10 plus matches at av of 60 then looked excellent with red ball at 50 for aus a in England . Border said same as I was thinking from test one and wanted him in. Once again I would have let him bat with paine in SA which was cancelled . I am forgetting mcdermott who is promising too
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That’s right paul and the middle candidates with promise seem to be inglis and mcdermott if head can’t get it right . Maxwell remains the other option given he may have matured even more . Marsh won’t be picked due to age . Openers it’s just whiteman as a punt or labs elevated as he’s demonstrated he opens well so many times now under pressure . We are certainly in an opener dilemma if pucovski doesn’t cement his place in the ashes and hardly any test cricket to get this all right before indian tour 2022 I don’t think paine will go until he is forced too or at worst even more bad results but that middle order can really strengthen with mcdermott inglis and carey all there especially if we have to elevate labs
Pierro
Roar Rookie
It's really a question of is there anyone as good as labs to open . Pucovski is a candidate for sure and warner will hold his place through the ashes o. Home soil but then we need another opener . Whiteman seems most promising in the last shield cycle but he's young I think . Labs gets it done at opening or or 3 . It's not ideal to have him open but he ends up doing it well anyway
JamesH
Roar Guru
I don't mind the idea of having both Inglis and Carey in the side if they each justify selection on batting. As I said though, Inglis is a long way from doing that in red ball cricket. He needs a big 12-18 months in the Shield. I think Carey is a genuine option to bat at 5 in the Ashes even with Paine in the side. It might not be a bad way to manage the transition. They will give Harris more opportunities (behind Warner and Puc) before turning to someone like Whiteman or pushing Labs up. 3 & 4 are working so they won't mess with that part of the order.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Neser's best chance, if he doesn't get a gig in the Ashes, is to play at 7 with Carey batting 5. He's not really an option in the top 6 and nor is Paine. I think Green has a long way to fall before he's seen to be in the Mitch Marsh category. He's got a FC batting average of 50 for starters, vs Marsh's 32. To put that into perspective, Green's test average is currently 34. His FC bowling average (25) is also better than Marsh's (31). He's only just started bowling after a back injury so his speed and stamina is limited, which is why he was used in very short bursts in the tests. With time on his side and no obvious replacement (we don't even know who should be batting at 5 right now) they will give him plenty of rope.
Paul
Roar Guru
I've got a lot of time for Faf. I can't imagine how hard it must be trying to prop up a great Test nation almost singlehandedly as a batsman, without much support from the Board or the other players, most of whom are not quite up to Test standard. That Faf's had a lean patch is what happens to all good bats at some point in their careers. At least he's still trying his best, when lots of others would have probably given up.
Paul
Roar Guru
in short, we're in need of at least 2 guys to be ready to open if/when Warner is not on the side and 3 or 4 guys ready to take over any of the middle order and keeping spots.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
I get why you say have Labuschange open... still not sure on that though
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Carey in first for sure said it since pre ashes but its been hard with paine there . Ideally Inglis and carey could both bat. Why not if maxwell is overlooked there is quite a bit of grit and steel in inglis and carey despite inglis being a junior. May be room if we just can't find openers and have to elevate labs to opener. Not beyond the realms of good selecting with future talent shining through. Warner may not last long after next ashes this summer given away tours. Can play around with the following talent but they were all top ten in shield averages give or take and very very promising batsmen/keepers there. Carey was superb in england during world cup and with Aus A pre ashes. Hes tough and gritty. Inglis can be his understudy but bats well anyway I mean we've just had paine and wade in same side. Whiteman (Labuschagne) Pucovksi Labsuschange Smith Green Maxwell (or Inglis) Carey.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Agreed white man could be the one or just elevate labusschange as he opens half the time anyway. Inglis slotted in further down as well as paine. Warner won’t last long after next summer given his poor away record and age. This could be the batting line up to play with , a bit obscene that three of them can keep but they have good batting averages and it looks like a competent tough batting line up with some amazing talent. Whiteman (or labuschagne) Pucovski Labuschagne Smith Green Inglis or maxwell Carey
Pierro
Roar Rookie
warner won't last more than next summer way he's been going from injury to ashes failure he's 35 and aging and very good on home soil but not touring. Also average before a dead rubber against nz was lower thirties against a weakened kiwi line up He smacked pakistan at home but pathetic against england in uk before that . We need a replacement for him after next summer i suspect asap . we may just need to elevate labuschagne as he practically opens any way often as the openers don't get far or anywhere before a wicket against india and england
Pierro
Roar Rookie
warner has one year left maybe next ashes and then he's gone as hasn't travelled well overseas for some time and getting past 35 by then . Ive said for 18 months get carey in as wicket keeper and then last few months its maxwell vs the punt on inglis as a batsmen in for head unless head cp as can rediscover huge form. Ive always been skeptical of head they were talking him up as captain before he was settled as a batsman which was absurd. Maxwell deserved more but the selectors have always had it out for him as well as the wrangle he got in by saying he was better than wade in the middle order at one point (from memory) years ago. Whiteman is a possibility at top but early days . We need someone for warner asap. The only other option is what I said all summer labuschagne opens anyway most of the time in ashes and often against india so just let him open if there is no one else. Its not ideal but he's best bet then we open the middle up to maxwell, inglis carey who can all bat well. Its one idea. Otherwise the openers have generally been a shambles besides pucovskis talent recently and he needs a full series too
bowledover
Roar Rookie
He had the 199 on 26 dec 2020, and then as you say had a lean period for 5 tests (10 innings), and his numbers before that (in 2019) look pretty good. Granted, he isnt Smith, Williamson, Kohli Root.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I completely agree. But if I’m a batting coach or coach of any sort of young cricketer and I’m asked “what approach to cricket will yield the fastest results” ie get me a regular birth in a side and get me playing for Australia in the shortest possible time frame. I’d suggest working very hard on that defence and have a mindset to protect your wicket at all costs. Sure, practice all your shot in your armoury to a great extent but put any shots considered risky away until you’ve reached 50. You get out cover driving a wide ball on 45 after seeing 100 deliveries no one is going to criticise your shot selection. Get out hooking/pulling, slog sweeping, upper cutting or reverse weeping before you’ve made 50 on a couple of occasions, and people will quickly tar you with the poor shot selection brush. No one remembers the context of a game in the shield where you come in at 6/7/8 and run up 50-100 scores @ 30-40% strike rate and lose or draw a shield game. Over time they look at the body of evidence of 50/100 mile stones to innings ratio and your average to give them confidence in selecting you. Once you have a number of centuries under the belt and an average north of 50 you can put some eye catching strokes together in innings once you last 50. Pretty quickly you get people talking. Get selected for Australia, rinse and repeat until your place in the side is secure. While it may not have people suggesting you are the next big thing, it’s the lowest risk attitude towards having a long and successful cricket career.
Larry1950
Guest
Green a work in progress is absolutely right, most respondents in recent times (including myself) gave Mitch Marsh stick for his test efforts but Green, despite the bowling opportunities afforded him against India has still failed to take a wicket. He's also susceptible to the lbw ball because of his height, happy for them to persist for now but he's got to take wickets to be an allrounder. Reckon Neser could be as good an option as the allrounder if he ever gets a game.