Mitchell Marsh’s comeback was nothing short of brilliant. Cameroon Green is touted as a future prospect who hasn’t done much wrong in his short career so far. Cummins has played 3 consecutive games and has bowled quite a lot of overs. Hazlewood will definitely play at Old Trafford. What to do with David Warner? There are a lot of questions that are facing Cummins and the coach Andrew McDonald. Some of them are really pleasant headaches whereas the others are pain-inducing headaches. Let me offer my two cents on questions for Cummins ahead of Old Trafford.
There is a week gap between the end of the 3rd Test and the start of the 4th one. It is time enough for Australia to assess their strategy and learn some lessons from the defeat. Cummins and Australia need not be harsh on themselves. Sure, The Ashes came within their grasp and they let go of it because of the brilliant bowling performance of Mark Wood. There is nothing shameful in that. Mark Wood on that day, would have made even the best of the Australian cricket team under Ponting and Steve Waugh, somewhat like dancing puppies. They did not necessarily lose to a better side, rather, they lost to someone who bowled way too quickly than what Australians were used to till this point.
Green or Marsh or both?
Mitchell Marsh’s innings was nothing short of exceptional. He was the one who did not care about the conditions and played an innings of sublime brilliance. He looked at ease with his clean hitting and wasn’t circumspect against the pace of Wood. It is hard to imagine Cameroon Green playing a similar innings under a similar situation. Without Marsh’s innings, it will be safe to conclude that England would have won in a canter. That Australia survived till the last day was because and only because of Marsh. Added to that, with his brisk pace, he picked up a couple of wickets and kept the scoring down. Nothing more can be asked from your allrounder.
“We’ve got a lot to consider and a lot to weigh up, and Mitch Marsh has put a question to us no doubt,” Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald said.
However, with Green expected to be back after his back injury, the position of Marsh has come under scrutiny. It will be an injustice to drop someone who had just scored a hundred when no one else could contribute a 50.
Having said that, Green is seen as someone who must be groomed for bigger things in the future. His returns so far in this series haven’t been productive, either with the ball or with the bat. Not so long ago, he secured his first Test 100.
Will it make sense to play both Marsh and Green? In that case, Marsh can be asked to open the innings. A typical flamboyant start at the top will help Labuschagne no end. It means that David Warner will have to be dropped. On that topic,
Is it time for Warner to make way?
Warner has had a mixed series so far. It was only a couple of innings ago, he got his highest score in England. A battling 66. It also helped Australia post a huge target. However, his old failings against Broad, have comeback to the fore. Two identical deliveries at Headingley and two identical wafts outside the off and two identical catches by Crawley. The pressure on Warner has grown immensely. If indeed Warner is dropped, he would have already played his last Test. Australia are on the precipice of Ashes success in England in over 20 years. Would they want to jeopardise that by continuing to keep Warner at the top of the order?
More than technical, it is the mental aspect where Warner has lost his battle against Broad. I do not think that a move down the order is being considered by Australia. Having said that, in such an important game, would Australia want to try the untested Marsh at the top? It is not going to get any worse anyway. Michael Clarke, the former captain thinks so.
“The No. 1 issue is you are sticking with Warner, giving him every opportunity, and Broad’s still got his number. Is it time? If it’s time, I wouldn’t even be worried about who opens the batting because you’ve got options.
“I reckon Mitch Marsh is in fine form. If he had to do it, he could do it.
The other option is to open with Travis Head but he is pretty well at number 5. He himself would not want to compromise and open the innings. Also, it makes sense for Australia to let Head alone at his favourite spot.
Leave out the spinner or Boland?
Hazlewood is needed at Old Trafford. Australia must not have rested him for Headingley. Boland was a misfit. When the Ashes was there to be won, Australia must have gone ahead with their best possible outfit. Instead, they chose to rest Hazlewood which was a wrong move. Cummins has already bowled a lot of overs but since he is the captain, unless there is an injury, he will play. Hence, it is assumed that the trio of Starc, Cummins & Hazlewood will be reunited. This leaves Todd Murphy vulnerable. Would Australia want to drop their spinner for Marsh or Green? It will certainly lengthen the batting. It will also give them 5 medium to fast bowling options. However, they run the risk of not bowling the 90 overs required. It may even result in banning Cummins for the all-important final Test if The Ashes is still alive at that point.
Wrapping up questions for Cummins ahead of Old Trafford
Whatever it is, come Old Trafford, Australia have a lot of sweet headaches to solve. The most vulnerable at this point is David Warner. Perhaps, he might announce his retirement even before the Test. In one stroke, Cummins and Australia would not have to worry about playing Marsh or Green.
Other articles related to The Ashes can be read here, here and here