Cricket news: Australia must avoid lapsing into ‘Snoozeball’ in West Indies Test series, Robert Craddock

For the first time in 30 years there is no firecracker among Australia’s top four batters. With no David Warner-like threat, the Aussies must avoid lapsing into ‘Snoozeball’, writes Robert Craddock.

Australia may have turned up its nose at Bazball but must avoid lapsing into Snoozeball following the retirement of David Warner.

Australia is at its best when it has an up-tempo opener of the Matthew Hayden-Michael Slater-Warner ilk.

For the past 30 years Australia normally had one of them and from the moment they walked onto the ground – particularly Hayden and Warner – they defined the positive mindset of not simply their team but, in a broader sense, the entire Australian game.

Australia’s top four of new opener Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green have the pedigree to provide a solid cushion in front of haymakers Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and the fluent Alex Carey.

But, as Australia prepares to launch its new top four in the Adelaide Test against the West Indies, there is no firecracker among the top four that instantly poses a Warner-like threat.

With no firecracker among their top four batters, now is no time for Australia to lapse into ‘Snoozeball’, writes Robert Craddock. Picture: Getty Images

It will be interesting to see whether rival attacks play a restrictive game with the new top four.

West Indian captain Kraigg Brathwaite said he was already focusing on trying to stifle a run rate which, given the rawness of the West Indies attack, can sometimes spiral to four or five an over on bad days.

Test cricket, generally, is trending in the direction of more vibrant batting. Australia does not want to step back in time and it would not surprise to see the new line-up make a statement in Adelaide by spreading their wings.

Say what you like about England’s Bazball tactics but so far it has proved that fortune has favoured the brave.

Warner faded in his final years but for a decade he kept attacks around the world on notice that if they bowled a bad ball they would pay the price.

Many of Warner’s opening partners privately spoke about the benefits of facing up to bowlers who had their radar scrambled by an onslaught from a batsman at the other end.

Australia is at its best when they have an up-tempo opener, but with David Warner gone they are now lacking in that department, writes Robert Craddock. Picture: AFP

Against the West Indies the subtleties of Australia’s game plans should not matter. Australia is unbeaten in its last 19 Tests against the West Indies and there is no expectation that pattern will change.

But everything Australia does this summer is considered preparation for next summer’s five Test mega-series against India.

For many different reasons – the most notable being the fact he wants to do it – Smith is a solid choice at the top of the order.

But, significantly, Australia does not want him to be another Khawaja. One anchorman is enough. Smith does not have to be Warner either but he would do Australia a great service by keeping things moving.

Warner’s absence may also flush out a brighter side of Labuschagne who looked the best he has all summer when he rocketed to 62 off 73 balls when Warner batted at the other end in his final innings in Sydney.

Maybe that sort of tempo will be the norm post-Warner.