Australia vs. India, Second Test: Allan Border has an eery feeling about the current Test team and selectors must act

Allan Border has a sense of deja vu about the current Australian men’s Test team, and no matter what happens in Adelaide, the Australian cricket legend senses something needs to change.

Allan Border says Australia must be willing to refresh its Test team or risk reliving the chaos that landed in his lap four decades ago.

Test legend Border is in Adelaide for the second Test against India and is hoping Australia, after being spanked in the first Test, will surge under lights with the pink ball as it attempts to snare the series trophy with his name on it.

But with Nathan McSweeney the only player in the team under 30, Border senses that whatever happens in Adelaide, Australia must seek fresh blood this summer, including young batsman Sam Konstas and at least one new fast bowler.

Much to Border’s concern, recent Test debutant Nathan McSweeney is the only player in the Australian men’s Test team under 30. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Border’s reputation as one of Australia’s most admired cricketers was forged during the 1980s when he led an understrength Australian side that had been rocked by the joint retirements of Test greats Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell and Rod Marsh after the 1984 Sydney Test against Pakistan.

It triggered a brutal four-year era of constantly rotating teams and Australian selection panels swore they would never allow a group of senior players to retire together again, a statement Border endorses.

Rod Marsh (L) Greg Chappell (C) and Dennis Lillee pictured together in the dressing room during their last Test match playing together in 1984. Picture: Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

In the wake of their retirements, Allan Border was left to guide Australian cricket through arguably its hardest period. Picture: Supplied

“You just don’t want to lose three or four in one season, which can easily happen when guys are 30-plus,’’ Border said.

“I am not saying get rid of blokes willy nilly but we really need to be introducing some young quicks and someone like Konstas.

“Back in the 1980s, there was a lot happening because we also had a rebel tour of South Africa, which took another group of players out of the system.

“It’s not that tough today but the point is still that you just don’t want everyone going at once.

“I would like to see Konstas play. He might not be ready but nor was Steve Waugh when he first played. He might be 19 but that’s fine. Give him a run.’’

Border would like to see 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who recently made an impressive century for the PM’s XI, given an opportunity. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Border said that with Australia’s outstanding pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and the injured Josh Hazlewood entering their early to mid-30s, Australia should be on the lookout for a younger back-up bowler such as West Australian speed machine Lance Morris or someone of that ilk.

“I think once you’re in your mid-30s as a batsman you can sometimes handle it but as a bowler it’s tough because even just waking up they are a bit sorer and you sense a bit of a drop-off in pace,’’ he said.

“When you bowl a few days in a row like Australia did in Perth and you are in your mid-30s, it takes its toll. You could see that.

“Sometimes you hear a bowler say it is a long series and I have to look after my body, which is fine, but it makes you wonder whether they are going 100 per cent in the game in front of them.’’

In terms of next generation fast bowlers, Lance Morris is up the top of the list for Australia. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Border is hoping Marnus Labuschagne will break free from the form slump that has left his place in the side under review and has urged him to consider the first rule of batting – watching the ball as closely as you can.

“I just wonder how closely Marnus is watching the ball,’’ he said.

“I remember talking to (sports psychologist) Rudi Webster about watching the ball when I was out of form and he said, ‘Are you really watching the ball totally out of the hand or are you watching the general area where the ball is being delivered?’

“I got in he the nets and realised he was right.’’

Originally published as Australia vs. India, Second Test: Allan Border has an eery feeling about the current Test team and selectors must act