For India, to be at 1-1 after three Tests is a win. Despite a thumping victory in Perth, they have struggled severely with the bat. The celebrations in the dressing room when their tailenders managed to pass the follow on was indicative of their mindset. It seemed even India doubted they could see off a second innings blitz to save the Test. And while they would have been happy to rescue Australia to 7/89 in their second innings, despite all the posturing it is only Jasprit Bumrah who poses a major threat to decimate a batting line up.
KL Rahul has been excellent, but he had to survive one of the easiest dropped catches in history to make his 84. Rohit Sharma appears dead in the water, while the other bats have all had one innings in five that could be considered worthy.
So, India is well in the series and only requiring a draw to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy, but with performances that leave you wondering just how they are in that position. Melbourne's pitch in the past 24 months has had far more life in it so conditions are likely to be similar to the first three matches, but Sydney may well be more to their liking. If they can win or draw in Melbourne they will be odds on to leave Australian shores with the trophy once again. Jaiswal, Rahul, Gill, Kohli, Pant and Sharma looks a top six that should excel in these final two Tests. Along with this, Bumrah, Siraj, Deep and Reddy have shown they are a handy bowling line up for these conditions, and Jadeja will be more dangerous with ball in hand in Melbourne and Sydney. Despite having been mostly outplayed for the last two Tests, India appear in the best position.
Australia should have been better placed to win in Brisbane, and if all things had been equal perhaps they would have been. Hazlewood breaking down - again - left them a bowler short, something the selectors assured us was why they had to pick an allrounder to share the bowling workload. That chosen allrounder bowled only two overs as India managed to creep past the follow on mark with Australia reduced to just three bowlers. Yes, the rain spells allowed the bowlers to remain fresh-ish, but it flies in the face of what the selectors and team management have insisted is a reasonable selection policy. Two scores in double figures in his past eight innings also creates a facade of his continued selection. Meanwhile the form allrounder in the country over the past 18 months is cooling his heels in the BBL, an allrounder who not only bowls seam up but off spin. You'd think that would be a handy thing for Melbourne and Sydney.
Hazlewood's injury that has now ruled him out of the rest of the series again highlights that, beyond Scott Boland who will no doubt replace him in Melbourne, Australia's reserve bowling stocks are very thin, especially in Test experience. Neser is injured, Jhye Richardson is perennially injured, and Doggett and Abbott have no Test experience. If either Starc or Cummins falls, suddenly Australia's bowling is well and truly exposed.
Australia's inability to finish off the tail of India to enforce the follow on is also problematic. True, if Smith had snared the dolly offered to him first ball of day four it would have been far easier, but tactically again Australia seemed wayward. The last four wickets put on 119 runs. The rain may well have won in the end anyway, but it was a missed opportunity to force an unlikely victory.
Australia's batting is bordering on tragedy and complete implosion. Yes, Bumrah has been exceptional, and the others very good, but at home our batters are usually imperious. Head has been wonderful, averaging 81.80 in the series, which with his injury on day five has sent shudders down the spines of Australians everywhere.
Why? Because this is where our other batters currently rank in this series. Carey 40.50. Smith 24.80. Labuschagne 16.40. McSweeney 14.40. Marsh 13.80. Khawaja 12.60.
The openers have the toughest gig in this series, and seeing off the new ball or a session of cricket is just as important on occasions as runs scored. McSweeney and Labuschagne did this in Adelaide, Khawaja and McSweeney here on day one. And no doubt the team will say they were doing the 'team thing' in the second innings.
Why? Because this is where our other batters currently rank in this series. Carey 40.50. Smith 24.80. Labuschagne 16.40. McSweeney 14.40. Marsh 13.80. Khawaja 12.60.
The openers have the toughest gig in this series, and seeing off the new ball or a session of cricket is just as important on occasions as runs scored. McSweeney and Labuschagne did this in Adelaide, Khawaja and McSweeney here on day one. And no doubt the team will say they were doing the 'team thing' in the second innings.
There is little doubt the selectors will stick with the same team for Melbourne. They will roll out the same lines, the team spirit, the best six bats in Australia, we're unlucky not to be at 2-1... but it will be lip service. Even though Darren Lehmann had to have realised the irony of what he was saying when he said this week that the Chairman of Selectors George Bailey was 'too close' to the players when it came to selections, he was correct. It's very hard to drop your mates, and if you are mates with them all, and the coach and captain are of the same opinion, then that seems like a conflict of interest.
So as I said, Australia and India will likely go to Melbourne unchanged, apart from Boland in for an injured Hazlewood, and the injury watch on Travis Head. India will be in raptures if Head is out for the summer, and it would indeed tip the scales heavily in their favour.
McSweeney deserves time, Khawaja has simply earned that over time. Probably Labuschagne as well. Despite a Test batting average that has dipped under 30, Marsh will continue to receive the selectors blessings.
So as I said, Australia and India will likely go to Melbourne unchanged, apart from Boland in for an injured Hazlewood, and the injury watch on Travis Head. India will be in raptures if Head is out for the summer, and it would indeed tip the scales heavily in their favour.
McSweeney deserves time, Khawaja has simply earned that over time. Probably Labuschagne as well. Despite a Test batting average that has dipped under 30, Marsh will continue to receive the selectors blessings.
Change just has to be around the corner. Sam Konstas looks like an international player. He is ripe. If the selectors wait much longer it will be a criminal waste. Beau Webster is at the height of form, and should be given a chance at this time rather than waiting until he begins to slide, which does seem to be the MO of this selection panel. Lance Morris has waited for two years without getting an opportunity, Sean Abbott even longer. Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchicciolli are two offspinners with talent.
I've said it twice already this summer. If Australia lose this series then panic will hit and recriminations will abound. But if that is what it takes to get some regeneration in our Test team then perhaps it is the best thing that could happen. If Australia win, this same team will be there at the start of next summer, another year older, and again without any real succession plan. The future is here, and the time is upon us. I just wonder whether or not those in charge of that happening actually want that to occur.
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