Australia v India: Ian Healy says Test series could boil as tensions rise

Pat Cummins’ Australian side has earned a reputation for playing nice. But, one Test great is tipping that could end this summer as frustrations rise in a cutthroat series against India.

Smiles and silence may have had an overwhelming presence in Australia’s first Test against India but at least one Test legend senses a blow-up may not be too far away.

Test great Ian Healy believes even though friendly rivalries are the new norm in cricket the that tension of what shapes as an epic series could take its toll on players emotions.

“I haven’t written off the chances of a blow-up at all,’’ Healy said.

“If it keeps going like this something might give. A drawn Test in Adelaide. Then Australia fights back. By the time they reach Sydney you will have tired players and a lot of consequences and it could blow.’’

Test cricket is unlikely to ever return to the days of mega-sledging though Healy feels Australia must improve its body language which was noticeably limp in their first Test loss.

“I think a lot of players have got to take on that responsibility for body language and bubble and an idea or two around the slips cordon.

“It has got to be fun. They have to be together. If that is not happening naturally there needs to be someone to make it happen. At one stage the commentators were saying Nathan McSweeney (in his first Test) was the pick of them. That is not good enough.

“Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith have to match him. Whether it is natural or not it does not matter. It is important.

“It’s things like running between overs. Helping the bowler with his hat. Those sorts of things just get done. Even if you make a roster … it is your five overs remember?

Pat Cummins and the Aussies are under pressure heading into the second Test.

“I am putting that lack of energy down to overthinking and almost as shocked as the public as to what happened. They couldn’t snap out of it and fire up and do what India did. It is a bit of overthinking and reflection at a time when not for that.

Former Test enforcer Merv Hughes senses cricket has changed from the era when he took wickets with the force of his personality and sledging was a common tactic.

“Body language has changed. These days, when they are not getting wickets they tend to go into their shells and think about what they need to do. Rather than being flamboyant and having the bravado,” he said.

“Everyone knows everyone. All the Australian boys play in the IPL so if you have got Indians coming into the game and they have met the Australian bowlers in India and you know they are good blokes. The mystique is not there any more because they have met them.

“Australia’s top four batsmen didn’t give much in either innings so there was a lot of contributing factors for the bowlers.

“I don’t believe there is any need to panic but if we got beaten like that in Adelaide I think you would hit the panic button!’’

Originally published as Australia v India: Ian Healy says Test series could boil as tensions rise