- Jan 12, 2008
- 8,109
- 8,281
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
- Other Teams
- Chelsea, Fiorentina, Aus. Cricket
I don't have anything extra to contribute that others haven't TBH.
One thing that others seemingly haven't noted is how we fought back from 1-0 down to win the series. I've been following cricket for over 20 years and I've never seen us do this. It's always been the other way around, like in ENG or even against IND in 2016/17 and 2020/21. Nice to be on the right end for a change, especially at home, trying to win back a trophy against opponents who've often had the wood on us. This AUS team is definitely not perfect, but it's demonstrated a mental strength that I haven't seen since the Golden Era, and I attribute that to Captain Cummins leading by example. Back in 2021/22, I thought that his appointment to captain had immediately improved the side, and he's not really proven me wrong since despite some dodgy moments.
Of course, Boland was a crucial factor. He's an absolute nightmare for IND batsmen, who with the exception of Pant lack the game to hit him off his length, especially in helpful conditions like those at the SCG. IND batsmen don't mind express pace, but they dislike bowlers who can keep it on a length, move the ball and extract extra bounce. IMO Boland was more difficult for IND to negotiate than Hazlewood because the latter is fractionally less accurate and bounces the ball more consistently (hence more predictable), while Boland relies on effort balls to extract extra bounce - not unlike Cummins, who also had an excellent series. Moreover, Jadeja (a constant thorn in our side) really didn't cope well with his around-the-wicket angle, which Cummins replicated to great effect today. His 15* at the MCG was also great value!
Agree with others RE Konstas. His technique and temperament are (unsurprisingly) both flawed and IMO Head should open in Sri Lanka, but he was an inspired selection at the McG. Not only was he the first AUS batsman to really get on top of Bumrah, but his antics completely frazzled them. Webster was similarly a surprise packet - his height took the uneven bounce out of the equation and he seemingly has a sounder technique than Mitch Marsh (better footwork), even though IMO he's just a fill-in bowler at the highest level (too slow despite being quite accurate). Less inspired was playing Starc at the SCG. His figures flattered him in the first innings, and he got hammered during the second.
Our overall strategy (to see off Bumrah and attack their lesser bowlers) was clearly successful, but again not without some dodgy moments. But that's the nature of our batting lineup, I guess.
Anyway, this is the most enjoyable summer I've had since 2013/14, but another such summer will probably cause a heart attack.
One thing that others seemingly haven't noted is how we fought back from 1-0 down to win the series. I've been following cricket for over 20 years and I've never seen us do this. It's always been the other way around, like in ENG or even against IND in 2016/17 and 2020/21. Nice to be on the right end for a change, especially at home, trying to win back a trophy against opponents who've often had the wood on us. This AUS team is definitely not perfect, but it's demonstrated a mental strength that I haven't seen since the Golden Era, and I attribute that to Captain Cummins leading by example. Back in 2021/22, I thought that his appointment to captain had immediately improved the side, and he's not really proven me wrong since despite some dodgy moments.
Of course, Boland was a crucial factor. He's an absolute nightmare for IND batsmen, who with the exception of Pant lack the game to hit him off his length, especially in helpful conditions like those at the SCG. IND batsmen don't mind express pace, but they dislike bowlers who can keep it on a length, move the ball and extract extra bounce. IMO Boland was more difficult for IND to negotiate than Hazlewood because the latter is fractionally less accurate and bounces the ball more consistently (hence more predictable), while Boland relies on effort balls to extract extra bounce - not unlike Cummins, who also had an excellent series. Moreover, Jadeja (a constant thorn in our side) really didn't cope well with his around-the-wicket angle, which Cummins replicated to great effect today. His 15* at the MCG was also great value!
Agree with others RE Konstas. His technique and temperament are (unsurprisingly) both flawed and IMO Head should open in Sri Lanka, but he was an inspired selection at the McG. Not only was he the first AUS batsman to really get on top of Bumrah, but his antics completely frazzled them. Webster was similarly a surprise packet - his height took the uneven bounce out of the equation and he seemingly has a sounder technique than Mitch Marsh (better footwork), even though IMO he's just a fill-in bowler at the highest level (too slow despite being quite accurate). Less inspired was playing Starc at the SCG. His figures flattered him in the first innings, and he got hammered during the second.
Our overall strategy (to see off Bumrah and attack their lesser bowlers) was clearly successful, but again not without some dodgy moments. But that's the nature of our batting lineup, I guess.
Anyway, this is the most enjoyable summer I've had since 2013/14, but another such summer will probably cause a heart attack.
