Indian ambush exposes brittle bats

Joe Burns on his knees after surviving a run out during his eventful innings that yielded only four runs. Picture: Michael Klein

Were they nervous about their futures? Have they been outfoxed? Can they not handle being tied down?

Or are they simply not that good?

India’s stunning MCG ambush of Australia’s top order in both innings of this captivating Test has sparked questions which go beyond this match and into the wider issue of why Australia is struggling to produce more top class Test batsmen.

India bowled well but the absence of David Warner has left Australia without a tone-setting alpha male.

Australian innings now start with a nervous tone that enables new ball attacks to find their groove.

Cameron Green is about to carry a heavy load for Australia – not just at the MCG but potentially the next decade.

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Australia’s iconic production line which traditionally spits out Test-class batsman is coughing and spluttering and struggling to do what it used to do so well.

And no-one can really identify why because interstate batsmen have never been better coached or had more facilities to develop their game.

The bookies have already written off Australia in the match and they enter day four effectively 6-2 with India proving that despite being the No 1 team in the world Australia are still very “gettable”.

It might be too much to ask for India to repeat their all out 36 performance in Adelaide but if Australia’s last four wickets could cobble together a lead of 150 you never know.

If Australia goes belly up on day four it will complete one of the most unexpected wins ever seen on Australian soil with India bowled out for 36 in their last start and missing their captain Virat Kohli and exceptional swing man Mohammed Shami in this match.

Each member of the Australian top order has his own special challenges.

SEN statisticians revealed Travis Head leaves just 15 per cent of balls bowled to him – half as many as Marnus Labuschagne.

Knowing the way he loves to feel bat on ball and struggles to resist the baited hook, rival teams tempt him outside off stump with gully and third slips on red alert.

This is a deeply ingrained part of his game.

With a Test average floating just under 40 Head is far from terrible but he is yet to prove himself the heavy duty anchorman Australia’s next generation needs.

Steve Smith looks tired and flat and the anxieties of bubble life, where a man is always in danger of overcooking in his own juices, may have consumed him.

He’ll be back but for two home summers in a row teams are bowling smarter to him and Superman has lost his cape.

India appear to be bowling straight and packing the leg-side field and he is struggling to even get off strike.

Matt Wade continues to look good with sharp footwork and a neat array of strokes but is struggling to seal the deal.

Had he been keeping his last eight Test scores, which feature five between 20 and 40, would be solid fare but as a specialist batsman more is expected of him.

He’s feisty and fearless but needs a long Test innings to redefine himself.

Green may be yet to post a major score but significantly, he barely ever looks in trouble.

His defensive blade is broad, his footwork sharp for a big man and, most significantly, his temperament looks sturdy … which it might need to be for many years to come.

The Courier-Mail