It would be suicidal to enter a world cup being chuffed in the batting department whilst boasting of weaknesses in the other or vice-versa.
Not an ideal scenario ever, especially when you are Australia, a five-time winner of the Cricket World Cup, a bastion of cricketing example, and above all- a team that has given living nightmares to best of the teams out there.
So as Australia pack their bags, ready their kits, prepare to bid goodbye to their families and friends for a month and a half long sojourn in the game’s highest stage- what thoughts might accompany their captain, Aaron Finch?
One wonders, how serious is Jhye Richardson’s absence from the imminent World Cup going to be for Australia, a team that had only recently begun to gain some confidence of its fans, in the face of Steven Smith and David Warner’s return?
Moreover, where does the Australian bowling stand currently as the famous, rather a legendary marquee submits a fresh bid to lift the world cup?
Troubles galore for Cricket Australia
For a team whose batting department hasn’t been all that stable, albeit a string of impressive (albeit sporadic performances) from Stoinis, Khwaja and Maxwell serving instances of sporadic entertainment if not full-blown consistency, how stable seems the Australian pace-department?
Truth be told, you don’t want to be Aaron Finch at this time. Akin to a well-spread American breakfast lying on the table, Finch’s struggles seem to be a lavish spread of bowling calamities.
Mitchell Starc hasn’t really been all that fit. He last played an ODI series in November 2018. On a lighter note, the last time he didn’t have an injury was when you weren’t watching cricket or when it was raining cats and dogs Down Under.
To make matters worse, Josh Hazlewood- 72 wickets, 44 ODIs- hasn’t been picked for the World Cup. Are Australia shock-proof to even that odd?
Truth be told, even as the 1.96-meter bowler may not be a match-winning strike bowler in international cricket, his experience and ability to hunt in pair, with his new-ball partner- Mitchell Starc– has often kept Australia in the hunt in many a game.
On the other hand, Jhye Richardson, despite all the inexperience and absence of a big-match result, would’ve been a key resource for a side desperate to announce to the world that ‘all is well.’
Isn’t it?
A sharp athlete, the lankiness, and someone who’s bowling run-up suggests he’s a “rhythm bowler”; hoppy steps taken in fast-motion, a fine, hurried sprint to the popping crease; make Jhye Richardson a fine talent. The mega opportunity of making a noise in the 2019 World Cup would’ve held him in good stead.
But sadly, Australia are going to unravel their bowling plans minus the alacrity of its youth (Richardson) and the power of the experience (Hazlewood).
They’d do well to remember that in the last edition of the cricket world cup, it was Josh Hazlewood, who’s miserly returns- 7 wickets from 43 overs at a bowling average of 25 and an economy of just above 4- held Australia fine and dandy. Truthfully speaking, it wasn’t all about Starc’s rippers and pitch-perfect yorkers or bouncers in the middle.
This could well be a decisive blow for a team that will now expect a world out of Pat Cummins, who thankfully has not only played 1 world cup (2015 edition) but also happens to have bowled a fair bit in cricket’s highest stage of ODI competition: 5 wickets from 13 overs, including a bowling average of 16, and best-bowling returns of 3 for 42.
While surely the returning duo of Steve Smith and David Warner have given a huge moral lift to what was- where the last six to nine months reveal a seemingly fragile outfit, vulnerable to weaknesses, susceptible to defeats- is the Australian bowling line-up steady and ready to attack?
What lies at stake?
Defeats to India Down Under and a close shave with the sub-continent hosts, as seen recently, Australia have endured what can be called a topsy-turvy cricketing journey in the past half a year.
So as a slew of questions stare Cricket Australia in the eye, one wonders whether it’s an ideal way to build a case for a side about to compete in the sport’s greatest carnival, even as it’s the platform for the team’s grandest successes in the past?
Expert analysis and hopes for a massive revival in the mother of all sporting battles notwithstanding, perhaps it suffices to say that a lot is up at stake for Australia. Can Kane Richardson, Cummins, Starc and Lyon be the ringmasters in English (very un-Australian) conditions?