Ian Chappell: Australia have earned top Test ranking and will be hard to knock off

IAN CHAPPELL gives his verdict on an Australian Test summer that saw Steve Smith’s side rise to the top of the rankings in a quietly efficient manner.

‘Now we’re on top, we’ll be hard to knock off’

AUSTRALIA began this Test season with high hopes based on a strong and deep pace attack and the skill and daring of two young batsmen, skipper Steve Smith and ebullient opener David Warner.

The areas of concern were the fragility of the batting and that this could be the worst Australian fielding side for three decades.

The campaign ended triumphantly with Australia perched on top of the Test rankings. The batting was boosted by the heavy scoring of Usman Khawaja and Adam Voges and the improved form of Joe Burns while the fielding was a surprise, as the efficiency of agile keeper Peter Nevill led an improved catching cordon.

The bowling depth was sorely tested with injuries decimating the ranks. Nevertheless, the attack held firm with Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon supplying the consistency and James Pattinson, a late reinforcement, providing welcome extra firepower. Jackson Bird added an exclamation mark to the depth argument with a five-wicket haul in the final innings of the campaign.

The most surprising gains came in batting where Khawaja cemented the troublesome number three spot with his elegant and expansive stroke play. Burns was a pleasant surprise as an opener, displaying at various times grit, determination and occasionally, a spirited attacking streak. He’s a good foil for Warner’s war on bowlers.

Voges succeeded beyond the wildest expectations, even surpassing Sir Donald Bradman’s legendary Test average, albeit briefly. He did so with intense concentration and a disciplined determination to play his own game.

The only disappointment with the bat was Mitchell Marsh but such was the success of the team and his massive improvement as a bowler, that the selectors could afford to remain patient with the talented all-rounder. However, eventually he has to be a viable number six who adds value with an ability to take wickets as a lively seam bowler.

The two quiet achievers were Lyon and Nevill. Lyon achieved consistent success by bowling more of an off-stump line and a lift in self-belief. He was a big point of difference between Australia and their two Test opponents this summer.

Nevill’s keeping has been a revelation; he’s neat, as a result of excellent footwork, has good hands and is as agile as a gymnast. He’s confirmation that a good keeper is hardly noticed and because he makes very few mistakes the rest of the fielding solidifies.

Hazlewood was the one constant in a fast bowling unit that had change forced upon them regularly by an exceptionally large injury toll. He’s often been likened to the metronomic Glenn McGrath. While he’s not yet achieving McGrath-like success, he proved to be adaptable in demanding conditions and wasn’t weighed down by extra responsibility.

In general, Hazlewood is one of the more even-tempered fast bowlers but he showed in Christchurch there is a fire burning in his belly. He also provided further evidence as to why it’s best to keep fast bowlers well away from the umpires when a debate is raging, because they’re usually the ones with “smoke coming out of their ears”.

Smith was the other Australian player fined after the ‘third umpire incident’ and that stood out because it was a rare misdemeanour from an understated captain. His history as a player is one of being a quick learner and in his brief period in charge, his captaincy has displayed similar traits.

A captain has to lead and the good ones do it naturally. Smith does so with the bat and in the field and it’s evidence of his quietly effective leadership style that the Australian team is adopting a character of determination and adaptability.

The fact that the Australian team, despite enduring many disruptions though injury, is undefeated with Smith in charge, also highlights his level-headed leadership. On the occasions they were seriously challenged, Australia managed to find a way through the maze to the top of the rankings. The self-belief gained in that process means they’ll be hard to knock off their perch now they’ve developed a habit of winning under Smith.

Originally published as Ian Chappell: Australia have earned top Test ranking and will be hard to knock off