Pat Cummins expects Cameron Green to have a lot of work with the ball against India this summer as the Australian players will play a key role in ensuring that the pace attack can continue for five Tests in just over seven weeks.
Green gave Australia another bowling option when he returned to the team against the West Indies following the retirement of David Warner but was only needed for 42 overs in four Tests.
“It was huge [having the allrounders],” Cummins said. “Somehow we didn’t have to use them the way we thought we would. Which is a big deal. The past few summers have been very easy [with] Quick test match.
“I suspect this summer might be a bit different at times. We’ll be drawing in Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit. Even someone like Cam started in Shield cricket as a bowler but then had to bowl loads in Tests. Now he’s older, I think we will lean on him a little.”
Green, who has taken 35 wickets at 35.31 in Tests, returned to the team at No.4 earlier this year and scored a brilliant 174 not out against New Zealand in Wellington. There is still uncertainty over the composition of Australia’s top six against India as Steven Smith’s opening role will be an ongoing debate over the next few months. Anyway, barring any injuries – a certain Green will be joined by Mitchell Marsh in the top six.
“The first point is that both of them are completely out of the top six with only their batting being spectacular,” Cummins said at the launch of Play Cricket week. “We’re really lucky that Nathan Lyon bowls a lot of overs, so you don’t have to have an allrounder, but it makes a big difference to have a fifth bowling option. And with someone like Cam and Mitch we have six bowling options. It’s a good thing. really having a Top six should always put a team in the bat.
Cummins’ bowlers also said having a bowling captain helped them manage their work. “It’s fun to say that, they’ll never say it to my face,” Cummins joked. “When I’m at the top level I ask them to do something, they know I’m doing it somewhere else and I won’t ask for something I can’t do myself. Maybe something has been built – trust in the last ten years.”
Cummins is currently on a two-month spell without bowling as he was left out of the limited overs tour of UK. He is focused on fitness work to ensure he can get through another shortened period of Test cricket – Australia flew to Sri Lanka a few weeks after the India series ended – although he is determined to play the ODI series against Pakistan in early November at the same venue. Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales. He confirmed that there is little chance of him playing for Sydney Thunder in the BBL.
In case Australia need more fast bowling resources, they have a healthy stock behind the big three led by Scott Boland. Michael Neser toured New Zealand while Western Australia quick Lance Morris featured in squads last summer although he is currently struggling to make a comeback due to pressure on his back. Xavier Bartlett was handed a central contract earlier this year after bursting onto the field in white-ball cricket while selectors hope Jhye Richardson can overcome his injury problems.
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