Youth has brought a fresh energy to the Australian team following its nadir in Hobart

HAVING reached a low point in Tasmania, the Australian team have bounced back admirably thanks to a combination of youth and Usman Khawaja, writes Ian Chappell.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Peter Handscomb of Australia bats during day two of the Third Test match between Australia and South Africa at Adelaide Oval on November 25, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIAN fans wanted improved energy and enthusiasm; the captain demanded more fight from his players. Both parties should’ve been amply satisfied with the efforts of the revamped Australian side at Adelaide Oval.

The introduction of youth into any sporting team usually does inject much-needed energy and enthusiasm. This was evident when Australia fielded first against South Africa. The inclusion of a young opening batsman in Matthew Renshaw who also turned out to be a competent slip fielder was an inspired choice.

It was a reminder of another low point in Australian cricket when a young Mark Taylor was chosen to fulfil a similar role in 1988-89. If Renshaw can come close to emulating Taylor’s career as a player alone he will have been a great addition.

Steve Smith’s plea for greater spine in the batting was superbly answered by the elegant Usman Khawaja. The aesthetically pleasing left-hander had to first overcome the shock of a late elevation to the opening position and then a spirited bowling spell from the relentlessly probing Kyle Abbott.

With his mature and defiant century, Khawaja not only took his team to a valuable first innings lead but he also made redundant any suggestion he was a good-looking player whose dismissals are often soft. His entry into the slip cordon for the initial onslaught was also an indication of a desire to except more responsibility within the team.

His only misdemeanour was to be involved in a run-out with his equally determined captain. This appeared to be a sin of equal guilt but running between wickets is an area where Khawaja can improve still further.

Then came another debutant in Peter Handscomb who wholeheartedly joined in the renewal theme with a thoughtful innings that involved a busy approach. Handscomb has always been a cerebral cricketer but has perhaps tended towards over-thinking with a stance that commences from deep inside his crease.

In the end his unusual batting stance contributed to his downfall but it was also partly attributable to another fine piece of bowling from the indefatigable Abbott. Handscomb may have to rethink his deep stance on seaming pitches but his fleet-footed approach to spinners should play well on the upcoming tour of India.

Handscomb was followed in quick succession by another debutant in Nic Maddinson and then the reinstated wicketkeeper Matthew Wade. They had the misfortune to arrive at the crease during a spell of renewed energy from the South African bowlers, as the combination of a second new ball and the evening session redoubled their efforts.

That is not to indicate it had become an unfair contest, as this Adelaide Oval pitch has provided all players with equal opportunity and the improvements in the pink ball appear to have been a great success.

Inspired by the resilience of Khawaja, Mitchell Starc resuscitated his batting fortunes with a display that was at first tentative but prospered into a substantial contribution.

As Australia built their lead to meaningful proportions it became clearer that they had hit rock bottom at Bellerive and were now experiencing a meaningful bounce back in Adelaide.

By the time Khawaja wearily trudged from the scene of his triumph, this absorbing contest had evolved into a battle between renewal and revenge.

The Australians seeking to renew faith in their cricket team and the South Africans looking to extract revenge for what they felt was an injustice to their captain.

To his credit the tough-minded Faf du Plessis responded to his ICC-inspired fine and the boos of the Adelaide crowd in appropriate fashion with a defiant century. His adventurous first innings declaration should be viewed as a shrewd tactic by a good captain rather than an underhanded attempt to exploit David Warner’s extended absence from the field.

When Starc followed his batting success with an early breakthrough the Australians had established a strong upper hand in the Test. In fact this Test has developed into the tough contest we expected before the series started. The fact that it has taken Australia three attempts to reach this point emphasises the need to have a team with a good balance of youth and experience.

While not all the debutants experienced immediate success there were enough good signs at Adelaide Oval to suggest that Australia can look forward to the series against Pakistan with renewed enthusiasm.

Originally published as Youth has brought a fresh energy to the Australian team following its nadir in Hobart