Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Steve Smith gives yet another honest assessment of Australia’s performances. |
Another Asian assignment for this Australian team, and another disappointing result.
When the Ashes come around, Australia’s problems overseas would be put to the side. With Australia favourites, the media and Australian public might start to believe once again that this team is going places.
However, the last two months have again confirmed this Australia side is incapable of dominating world cricket.
Below are some key points from Australia in Asia in 2017.
Continuous collapses product of being brought up on the flattest Australian pitches in memory.
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| Australia lost 8-86 to lose to Bangladesh in August |
Everywhere you’d go in Australia, you’d face different conditions, which would give our batsmen a taste of what it takes to be a complete batsman. Techniques and patience would be tested. After all, scoring all over the world in different conditions is vital when discussing the best batsmen in the world, so why have Australia disregarded this?
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| Travis Head was bowled for 42 at a SR of 71 |
Just remember, these collapses aren’t just limited to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the UAE. Hobart, Trent Bridge and Johannesburg are just three of the many instances in the last six years of Australia being subject to embarrassing collapses. On pitches that seam or spin, playing Australia means you are always in the game. Regularly, one brings two, and two brings three, and so on. What a far cry from the great Australian teams.
Pushing with hard hands is a big issue. It doesn’t matter if you do it in Australia because the pitches are so flat you get away with it. It’s about time our pitches properly challenge batsmen again, and is taken seriously by players and coaches all over the country.
Yes, cricket has changed significantly with T20 but the importance of solid technique hasn’t. You need to have it to win all over the world. If the pitches return to how they used to be in Australia, we’ll really know who’s really ready for the International step up, and these players won’t be in for a shock.
Poor record in Asia continues
Middle order a concern
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| Glenn Maxwell exposes his stumps in Dhaka |
Glenn Maxwell seemed to have turned a corner with a mature Test hundred in India this year. However, he’s struggled ever since. Can the selectors trust him to contribute to an Ashes triumph? Time will tell – he should get the nod for the no. 6 slot at the Gabba.
As an Englishman, would I like to see Glenn Maxwell walking in at 4/150 or worse? The answer is yes. It’s up to Glenn as to whether or not that changes.
Steve Smith needs a bit of a mental break
His last 10 international innings have yielded 347 runs at 34.70. Australia need to manage Smith well before the Ashes.
Australia bowlers a positive
Amid all the doom and gloom, one thing is for certain, Australia’s bowling is in good shape. England’s batsmen need to be ready for a world class Australian attack. Patrick Cummins has been superb in unforgiving conditions in Bangladesh and India. Nathan Lyon finally mastered Asian conditions and he’ll play a big role on the bouncier Australian tracks, where he enjoys bowling. Starc and Hazlewood will be back. Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled very well this series, showing good pace and swing.
What’s to come:
Australia have 3 T20I’s before their Asian assignment is over. Even a series win can’t help mask the obvious frailties in this team.
