If there’s any doubt about Pat Cummins playing in the Second Test next week, he should sit it out.
The Australian team have bigger fish to fry later this summer and next year with South Africa, India and England looming on the horizon so there’s no point risking the skipper if there’s any chance of him aggravating his thigh injury at Adelaide.
And that’s not to say the West Indies should be discounted – they put up a great fight in Perth and made Australia work hard to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Scott Boland is waiting in the wings and a pink-ball day-nighter at Adelaide Oval would suit him to a tee.
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From the way Cummins was moving in the field in the second innings, just jogging after the ball, did he really need to go on the field and risk it because he didn’t bowl?
(Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
It’s a big summer and we want him right for first Test against South Africa. He’s saying it’s a one-week injury and the second Test stars on Thursday so there’d be no drama if he sits this one out with the team being one win up in the series.
The Aussies would probably be looking to rotate the quicks at some stage this summer so it could work out well that he has his rest now and Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood can sit a game out later on. You never want to get an injury but sometimes they are timely.
Although the win in Perth was expected, the Aussies stuck to their task in a professional manner and even though the Windies’ tail dug in, the home side deserved the big win.
Nathan Lyon was inspirational and passionate as always, he’s into rarefied air now.
Before him, we hadn’t had an off spinner who’d taken more than 150 wickets and now he’s up to 446, bettered only by a couple of guys who knew a thing or two about bowling in Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
He’s still got a few good years in him – who knows how many more he will get?
Lyon bowled a tick under 65 overs this match and got some big breakthroughs when they were needed, ending up with eight wickets at a venue not renowned for helping spinners.
I thought he was better when he targeted just outside off stump. He set up Kraigg Brathwaite with a series of deliveries before bowling him. It was a brilliant set-up and execution.
When it comes to spinners in Australia in the past 15 years since Warnie retired, no one comes close to Lyon for success on some tough pitches for tweakers.
He’s never turned the ball a great deal but he uses the bounce to his favour, has subtle overspin, uses the angles, comes over the wicket, whatever’s needed to get a batter out. We’re lucky to have him.
Overall it was a good hard win by the team. The Windies showed real resilience with the bat but their bowling is struggling.
The pitch wasn’t as inconsistent as we thought it would be – the footmarks weren’t significant and I don’t think there was a lot in it for the quicker bowlers.
Nathan Lyon of Australia celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It was just average – not great, not poor – but it’s very hard to make them perfect in Perth because of the uncontrollable factor of the weather.
They thought it was going to be hotter, but it didn’t dry out enough so the sun couldn’t take its effect – every now and again that can happen.
Optus Stadium does have the characteristics of the old WACA but I’d like to see a bit more on offer for the bowlers in future.
Adelaide will be trickier for the Windies – Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul dug in during both innings in Perth but it’ll move around a bit more in the day-nighter so if they go cheaply, the tourists could be in trouble because there are some serious question marks over their middle order.
Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins of Australia chat. (Photo by Quinn Rooney – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
At least Roston Chase and Alzarri Joseph showed some ticker on day five in Perth with their rearguard partnership. They were really assertive and when they attacked, they hit the ball hard.
For Australia, the win was another step towards making the World Test Championship final next year in England.
The top five batters all got plenty of time in the middle, the catching was great – Steve Smith in particular was remarkable with a couple or rippers in slips – and Travis Head was in the wickets again, just like in Sri Lanka.
Having a batter who can chime in with wickets can be very handy, particularly when we go to India in February.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Boland is closer to Cummins than Hazlewood. Pitches it fuller with a heavy ball and attacks off stump. No way they'll drop Lyon, especially when they already have a competent 4th seamer in Green. He averages 25 from 6 tests with the pink ball in Adelaide.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Agree the wicket was batter friendly, which generally hasn't been a Perth characteristic. Interesting to hear Brathwaite's century was the first 4th innings ton by a West Indies batsman in Australia for 25 years, which highlights your take on the wicket. I thought the West Indies bowled pretty well without luck.
Bowlologist
Expert
At at least Bolo has some miles/overs in his legs with he shield cricket. he should enjoy D/N Adelaide Test conditions
Bowlologist
Expert
Outstanding research C.A.M. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Bowlologist
Expert
:laughing:
Bowlologist
Expert
A real Slinger with very good pace = Lance Morris . I reckon he could work in the sub continent too as I reckon he should get some big Reverse swing with that action
Bowlologist
Expert
Hey Cam thanks for your comments. I like when all three results are on offer on day 5 but The reason I added the pitch Average was The West Indies took 6 wickets for 780 !! Unless the Test overs are reduced by rain declarations of that magnitude means there isn't a great balance between bat and ball. But overall I'm happy with the Perth Stadium pitch after 3 Tests this one was the slowest of the three. And the coolest test match which the curators have no control over. Go Aussies
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Yep, Oz cricket journalism has been very consistent since 1877... Loved this bit. "Harvey was captain in the game just completed against the M.C.C., and no blame for the dismal showing of an Australian XI can be levelled at him. It was no fault of his that the batsmen collapsed twice in the game, nor could he be held responsible for the weak efforts of the bowlers". lol. No parochialism at all there...
Cam
Roar Rookie
Had to laugh at D.Fleming's description of the wicket as "It was just average", which is spoken like a true fast bowler when we don't see 40 wickets inside 3 days. To be fair to the curator, there were 1400 runs scored and both teams were technically a chance of winning on day day 5. I do appreciate the Windies didn't get much out of the wicket on day 1, but the Aussies did bat well.
Clear as mud
Guest
just posting this as I only just found it. good fun read for the history buffs. without prejudice... --- First published in The Age on November 27, 1958 CAPTAINCY PUTS BURDEN ON BENAUD FOR TEST Shock Appointment Over Neil Harvey From Percy Beames The Australian Board of Control cannot be credited with foresight, wisdom or justice in its surprise appointment of Richie Benaud over Neil Harvey as captain of the Australian side for the first Test in Brisbane, starting on December 5. Harvey is vice-captain. Richie Benaud pictured in the nets in 1952. Richie Benaud pictured in the nets in 1952. CREDIT:SMH ARCHIVES The appointment is likely to saddle a great player with a worry that could seriously affect his efficiency as a bowler and rob Harvey of the keenness to return to his former batting greatness. The most flattering compliment that can be paid the Australian side is that on face value, it is not possible to guarantee a better team. But, just the same, it is not a side to build up confidence that a sure step has been taken to win back the Ashes. There may be some logical reason for Benaud’s ascendancy over Harvey, but it certainly defies sensible explanation on recent happenings. Harvey was captain in the game just completed against the M.C.C., and no blame for the dismal showing of an Australian XI can be levelled at him. It was no fault of his that the batsmen collapsed twice in the game, nor could he be held responsible for the weak efforts of the bowlers. Last Moment Originally, Harvey was not in the Australian XI side, but was called on at the last moment when Ian Craig dropped out. But, previous to that match, Harvey’s claims to leadership have always rated ahead of Benaud. Harvey acted as vice-captain to Ian Craig in South Africa and was his understudy in New Zealand. Only logical conclusion is that Harvey has paid for going from Victoria to N.S.W. It seems obvious that N.S.W. has supported Benaud, who was its captain in the first Shield match, while Craig was unavailable, and that the Victorian members of the Board of Control have got behind the move. Benaud had a wonderful season in South Africa and developed into possibly the world’s best all-rounder. But he would not have reached those heights had he been forced to worry about the other units of the side. Harder Task All he had to do was concentrate on his own play when bowling and, when asked to perform some special task with the bat – as in the fourth Test in Johannesburg – he did so in carefree style. Now, it is different. He will have to make the moves and take criticism if things come unstuck. Not the easiest decision Benaud will have to make will be when and how long to bowl. Dow the ages bowlers who have captained sides in big cricket have continually erred, one way or the other, in bowling themselves too much or too little. Fortunately, Benaud will be able to lean heavily on Harvey for advice and encouragement, as this appointment will have no bearing on their very close friendship. Deciding to try to play safe and stick to players with some claim of proven ability, selectors cannot be blamed. First published in The Age on November 27, 1958 Harvey Had Better Claim Than Benaud From Lindsay Hassett Richie Benaud’s appointment to the captaincy of the Australian team for the Brisbane test does not meet with my approval, not the approval of any of the experienced ex-internationals to whom I have spoken since the announcement. There can be no doubting Benaud’s enthusiasm, nor his healthy appetite for knowledge of the game. Also from the social angle as the now leader of future Australian teams overseas, Benaud’s qualifications cannot be questioned. But I cannot see eye to eye with this decision of the Australian Board of Control. To my mind, Neil Harvey has a more honest claim to the honor and I believe he would be a better field captain. He had had years more experience than Benaud, his cricket brain is at least as equally as agile, and, I consider his outlook towards the game is tougher and more suited to Test competition. As vice-captain of Australia, he has had one international tour during which he led the team on many occasions. His off-the-field manner, which is pleasant, and his general social qualifications could not reasonably be held as the cause of his being superseded. Taking Risk But, forgetting Harvey’s just claims to the captaincy, I believe that the board has taken an unjustifiable risk in appointing a captain who seems to carry the brunt of Australia’s bowling. Benaud, this season, will not only supply the spin, but, because of his accuracy, must also take the role of a stock bowler. His task at the bowling creases will occupy his energy, both mental and physical. Surely he could be handled better by a player who has ample time to survey the overall picture of the game
Clear as mud
Guest
the Brathwaite get was a ripper. 10km/h faster and 10 inches fuller did for him.
Clear as mud
Guest
like for like. Hazlewood and Boland too similar for mine. we have Green to bang them in. starc Haze Boland Morris green is the way to go
JamesH
Roar Guru
Boland has 10 wickets from 4 innings (over 3 matches) this season at 24.5. Not devastating but still good, especially when you factor in that he's played ona couple of high-scoring roads. Coupled with the fact he's 12th man and excelled in the test side last summer I can't really see how any other seamer would leapfrog him into the side, no matter how well they've started this Shield season.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Wes Agar?? No mate - - Scott Boland is in the squad as next cab - with 18 test wickets at 9.55.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Time to wheel out Jackson Bird again? And what were those reasons for not having a fast bowler as captain again?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Morris takes his wickets against the second best side in Australia. My opinion though. Although Tasmanians might object. QLDers lucky to escape with a draw. Morris at 150k+ with a pink ball. I’d like to see that.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Doc, “Yeah, well you know, that’s just, like, your opinion man”
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
He has how many this Sheffield Shield season? 4. Morris has how many? 28. No brainer there.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Agree it’s not worth risking Cummins further damage. Some decent rest & recuperation is the perfect anecdote. Boland will add to his 18 wickets with another big tally. FLEM he bowls a consistent fuller length that should trouble the Windies batsman. :thumbup: :boxing:
nics
Roar Rookie
New coach bounce makes Lyon a genuine final day bowler, or one swallow does not make a summer?