Australia seek quick fix to batting woes, add Warner, Pucovski in squad
Steve Smith, the world’s top-ranked test batsman, admitted that he had allowed Ravichandran Ashwin to “dictate terms” after being dismissed for a duck and one run by the spinner in the series
Australia head to the third test against India desperately searching for answers to their batting woes and with fingers crossed that sidelined opener David Warner will be ready to slot back into the side in Sydney.
Australia’s sub-par batting in the first test was glossed over by the thumping three-day win at the Adelaide Oval, but there was no hiding behind the bowlers in the eight-wicket loss in Melbourne that levelled the four-test series 1-1.
Skittled for 195 in the first innings and only reaching 200 in the second due to doughty tail-end resistance, Australia failed to record a half-century for the first time in a home test match since 1988 when they were beaten by a mighty West Indies team.
India’s bowlers have adhered to simple plans -- attacking the stumps and setting leg-side fields -- but the home side’s batsmen have looked bereft of answers.
Former skipper Ricky Ponting said they were batting like they were “scared” to get out
Steve Smith, the world’s top-ranked test batsman, admitted on Tuesday he had allowed Ravichandran Ashwin to “dictate terms” after being dismissed for a duck and one run by the spinner in the series.
Marnus Labuschagne, who piled up the runs against New Zealand and Pakistan in the last home summer, has also been stifled by India’s disciplined attack.
Australia captain Tim Paine said after the defeat the team had become tentative in the face of top class bowling and needed to get on the front foot more.
Former skipper Ricky Ponting said they were batting like they were “scared” to get out.
“They’ve got to show some more intent,” he told a Cricket Australia website.
“They’ve got to get them quicker than two-and-a-half runs an over because what we’ve seen from Adelaide to here, if they’re trying to apply themselves and bat for long periods of time they haven’t been good enough to do that.”
Warner has been included in Australia’s 18-man squad for Sydney along with the uncapped Will Pucovski but neither are certainties to play.
Coach Justin Langer said this week that Warner was yet to get up to speed with his running, while Pucovski would be a huge risk due to his history of concussion problems.
As expected, opener Joe Burns was axed after his horror test in Melbourne where he made a total of four runs and appeared a nervous wreck.
Regular opener Warner missed the first two tests with a groin strain while the uncapped Pucovski was ruled out after suffering concussion when hit on the helmet by a short ball in a tour match before the series started.
Burns was out for a duck and four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where Australia crashed to an eight-wicket loss on Tuesday that levelled the four-test series at 1-1.
“Joe Burns has been released from the squad and will return to the Brisbane Heat,” selector Trevor Hohns said in a media release on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, Joe’s returns haven’t been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of.”
Hohns said Warner had made strong progress in his recovery and would be given every chance to play in the third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“Will is in the final stages of the graduated return to play protocols and has been symptom free for some time,” he added.
“He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment.”
All-rounder Sean Abbott was also included in the squad after recovering from a calf strain.
If neither Warner nor Pucovski pass fitness tests, Australia may look to Marcus Harris, who was dropped during the Ashes last year after repeated failures, and persist with middle order batsman Matthew Wade as a makeshift opener.
India set up victory with a first innings 326, anchored by a sparkling century from stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, yet the result might have been different had Australia held their catches.
Having spilled seven at the MCG and reprieved Rahane twice, Australia’s bowlers will demand better support in the field at the SCG when the third test starts 7 January.
Squad: Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner