With Australia’s two best batsman sidelined, it’s the world’s best attack which is picking up the slack
WITH the fearsome Indian batting line-up — spearheaded by the world’s No.1 batsman, Virat Kohli, Australia’s quicks are entitled to feel the pressure. But they’re used to dealing with it.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- How Australia is rebuilding after Sandpapergate
- Pat Howard set to walk as CA braces for culture review
THE moment Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months, all eyes turned, not to their replacements, but to Australia’s pace cartel.
There is a feeling that losing the world’s two best batsmen will only amplify the pressure on arguably the world’s best fast bowling attack to take on an even greater burden.
Spearhead Mitchell Starc concedes there will be more responsibility for he, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins but that doesn’t mean a change in approach.
MORE NEWS
TWO YEARS: Boof’s challenge to successor Langer
WARNE’S WISH LIST: Teams need to fear Australia again
Starc and Hazlewood have been playing together since the under 17s and Cummins is another quick NSW born and bred.
Spinner Nathan Lyon, also from the Premier State, assumes the fourth seat at the table for dinner on tour.
The backseat of the Australian team bus is always reserved for the bowling attack and Starc says the inseparable relationship they share will only help them tackle the biggest challenge of their careers.
“When we are not playing cricket we seem to spend a lot of time together off the field as well,” said Starc.
“I’ve known Josh for 12 years and we’ve all come up together through NSW into the Australian team.
Listen to the latest Cricket Unfiltered podcast as Menners, Barto and Tommy run through the good, the bad and the ugly of Australia’s Test series debacle against Pakistan.
“Yes (there’s more responsibility) but we’re not going to treat it any differently.
“When you’re missing two guys who have played as much cricket as Dave and Steve, it’s a big gap to fill.
“We are missing a big chunk of our runs and experience but one thing that JL (Justin Langer) has said is it’s not about the labels of leadership that determine whether you’re a leader or not.”
Many good judges have already declared that the combination of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins might one day rival McGrath, Lee and Gillespie.
Each bowler brings something subtly different to the table and complement each other’s blazing strengths.
Leadership didn’t need to be their priority before, but it will be now — especially with Hazlewood’s ascension to the vice-captaincy.
“I suppose the four bowlers are probably just about the four most experienced players in the team so everyone has got to step up and fill the roles of Davey and Smithy and Bangers (Cameron Bancroft),” said Cummins.
“It’s probably a pretty natural role. Especially someone like Nathan and Josh who have played quite a bit. They’re natural-born leaders around the group.
“The four of us get on really well and we leave our egos at the door.
“We really do bowl in partnerships and what that means is if someone is attacking down one end we’re more than happy to just play the real boring role down the other end for them.
“I feel like we’re all getting better and when we all click, hopefully that’s still ahead of us.”
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH OUR ONE-DAY CRICKET SUPER QUIZ
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 3 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply.