India Squares Series as Old Frailties Return

In a somewhat disappointing development – unless you are Indian – the Australian cricket team managed to slip back into the status quo in regards to their batting on the sub-continent, unable to chase down 189 in the fourth innings for victory in the 2nd Test. The surface played its part, but not to the extent that it dictated the match. The bowling was good, but not great. In the end, the nervy prodding bats of the Australians accounted for more wickets than anything else.

1. At the start of play, Australia would have accepted the 187 lead they conceded to India. It was more than they would have liked to be chasing, but probably less than they could have been, had it not been for the fire from Starc and Hazlewood in dismissing the middle and lower order. Hazlewood’s six wickets was another great effort from an ever improving bowler, while Starc’s burst with the new ball was as erratic as ever but produced the initial breakthroughs that started the final push.
2. Like the first innings, partnerships were always going to be the key to an Australian victory. A little over 20 for each wicket would win them the game, but reality was that 40 for each of the first five wickets was needed, and not to rely on the tail to make up any difference. In the end, Australia did the former almost perfectly, losing wickets at 22, 42, 67, 74 and 101. However, with the last five falling for just 11 runs, it showed once again that Australia’s top order needs to do more if they are to stay in this series over the next two Tests.
3. Once Warner had burned one of the referrals it was always going to be tough on the next person to use one. If they were wrong and wasted that final precious referral, and later on it could have saved someone, the pressure brought to bear would have been enormous. It ended up costing Shaun Marsh his wicket, when he and Smith were unable to bring themselves to refer his LBW decision. The fact he offered no shot didn’t help his cause, and the batsmen went with the umpire. Unfortunately, the decision was possibly the worst one made by the umpires for the whole Test, and the ball was missing the stumps by quite a margin. The question that will always be asked is would a referral have changed the course of this match? If Marsh had stayed, and Australia remained at 2/67, how deep could they have taken it? Given the batting that followed these two, the question probably remains moot.
4. The flashpoint has come, with Kohli accusing the Australians of cheating in regards to referrals. It’s a long bow to draw, but there is little doubt Smith looked to the dressing room following the shooter he received in front of the stumps to be dismissed LBW. It is against the rules to do so, and Nigel Llong moved immediately as Smith turned his gaze to indicate that was it and no referral could be made. Good umpiring. Kohli came up and made his scene once again, visibly making himself seen by all Indians as the one running the show in the middle. He has been actively doing it all Test match, ensuring everyone knows who is in charge in this series. They have a right to be incensed at any perceived help the opposition may be getting in this regard from the dressing room. Kohli's suggestion that Australia has been systematic in rotting the DRS has as much evidence to back it up as anything Donald Trump says. If it was the case, then surely the Aussies would have been looking for help from the dressing sheds in regards to Shaun Marsh's LBW. It's rubbish Kohli you corkhead. But let the umpires deal with it.
5. While Smith underplayed this and all other incidents, Kohli in his press conference decided to go the other way, inflaming it all and making sure everyone knew that once again it was the Australians who are the cause and root of all evil. No one believes the Aussies are angels, but I think we can see positive proof that they are not acting alone. There is no doubt he is doing this to unite team and country. He’s done it too. How he handles himself for the rest of the series will be interesting.
6. Australia have only one reserve batsman in their team, but will he play next Test? Surely the Mitchell Marsh experiment has expired. He has bowled 5 overs in this Test, and scored 13 runs. Australia needs a specialist batsman in the team in order to score the runs required to give the bowlers their chance to win. Usman Khawaja was rather unfortunately cast aside prior to the 1st Test, and surely should be reinstated, but I really don't think you can play him and Shaun Marsh in the same batting line up. However, if you have that same bad feeling that I do, it would not surprise to see Glenn Maxwell batting at 6 in the 3rd Test. Not that this alone will save Australia. Warner is still all at sea against Ashwin and Jadeja. Handscomb looks confident against the spin but is unable to break free after making a start, and both he and Renshaw seem to get themselves out rather than the bowlers doing that job. There are still battles to be won within that top order.
7. I could speak about Matthew Wade, but what is the point when he is the only option Australia will use.

The positive at this point of the tour is that most of us expected it would be 2-0 India, whereas the series is level with two Tests to play. India will now be confident of rolling on, arrogantly believing they are a better outfit in these conditions. They’re right of course. Australia needs to tweak its team slightly, but again must find a way to break free of the bowling. It was always going to be the team’s toughest task in this series, scoring enough runs to win. Batting first is such an advantage too that if Smith can win the remaining two tosses then perhaps it could be the advantage the team needs.