Australia’s middle order given sobering reminder ahead of South African tour

AUSTRALIA’S batting line-up was given a sobering wake-up call ahead of their crunch tour of South Africa following a limp performance that has been slammed by Josh Hazlewood.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — DECEMBER 27: Tim Paine of Australia walks off after being dismissed during day two of the Fourth Test Match in the 2017/18 Ashes series between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

UPDATE: AUSTRALIA’S batting line-up was given a sobering wake-up call ahead of their crunch tour of South Africa following a limp performance that has been slammed by Josh Hazlewood as “lazy” and “complacent.”

Shaun Marsh continues to renovate his reputation as a middle-order rock, but despite advancements in avoiding the batting collapses this summer that in recent times had become endemic, losing 7-67 on day two was a momentary flashback to the bad old days.

Three players – Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Tim Paine – all chopped onto their stumps in disappointing fashion before the final five wickets fell for just 15 runs.

Australia squandered a golden opportunity to post 450 and bring the Ashes whitewash within reach, and Hazlewood admits batsmen were guilty of poor concentration and intent as the home side crumbled to be all out for 327 – having been in a position of power at 3-260.

“I think you could say that (complacency creeped in) definitely,” Hazlewood said on ABC Grandstand.

“Lazy as well is another way of saying it.

Marsh has emerged as Australia’s surprising bedrock for the middle order.

“They (the batsmen) know that and they need to be better particularly in the second innings.

“It was definitely a 400 plus wicket and it doesn’t show signs of breaking up.”

In the rare form Smith is in at the moment he is entitled to a mistake – it was almost a relief to find out he was human – but overall the meek surrender from the Australian middle and lower order indicated a loss in focus and patience.

One of the keys to Australia’s comfortable Ashes win this summer has been a fighting attitude from a determined batting order who have scarcely lost wickets in clumps.

Smith demanded an end to the chronic capitulations that have plagued them for so many years, and his batsmen have largely answered the call.

But yesterday was a reminder of what can happen when that intensity falters, and Australia will need to be ruthless if they’re to topple a world class bowling attack in South Africa come March.

Australia can move themselves back into prime contention to steal back the No.1 Test ranking if they triumph in South Africa, but not if Smith and David Warner are going two out.

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Barometer batsman Shaun Marsh, up until recently seen as so flaky, is suddenly the balance in the Australian order.

Marsh grinded out another half century yesterday in slow conditions to further cap off a series defined by consistency and class under pressure.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed some classic moments in South Africa already in his career, and he will be crucial again.

But the experience of Dale Steyn, the bounce of Morne Morkel, the swing of Vernon Philander and the sheer pace of Kagiso Rabada will provide a true test of how much this Australian batting side has improved.

Coach Darren Lehmann said after the third Test at the WACA that Mitchell Marsh could not be contented with one breakthrough century.

Past greats Ian Healy and Shane Warne have also criticised the attitude and body language of No.3 Usman Khawaja, who has lacked his usual rhythm.

Mike Hussey worries that Khawaja is lacking confidence after being chopped and changed out of the team over the past 12 months.

It’s been a difficult summer for Khawaja.

Warne says he must offer more as a senior player at the top of the order.

“We all thought ‘here we go we’ve got a No.3 who’s going to be consistent, he can take the game away from the opposition and allow Steve Smith and the middle order a lot more protection’,” Warne said on Nine.

“But I think he’s gone backwards a little bit. To me it’s all about his intensity more than anything else.

“He’s a good player, I think he’s got all the talent in the world, but he does need to improve. We’ve seen him over the years play some great innings but unfortunately he just hasn’t done it often enough.”