Burning questions: Can Australia fight back in India?

Ahead of day one of many third Test, the place Australia will likely be with out captain Pat Cummins, we take a look at the urgent questions going through coach Andrew McDonald and his crew.

1. HOW WILL STEVE SMITH HANDLE THE CAPTAINCY?

The unhappy return of Pat Cummins’ to Australia to be along with his sick mom has opened the door for Smith to take the reins as skipper for the third time since being appointed vice-captain. Smith averages 67.73 with the bat when captaining Australia in Tests, versus 55.33 when he doesn’t have the ‘c’ subsequent to his title. And it was in India in 2017 that Smith had arguably his biggest abroad tour as captain. Australia fell brief ultimately, however Smith piloted the crew to a well-known win in Pune in addition to smashing three centuries. Smith made some begins within the first Test however struggled by his lofty requirements within the second Test. Will the duty of management spur him onto the match-defining rating Australia so desperately wants?

2. WILL AUSTRALIA’S BATSMEN PLAY THE SWEEP SHOT?

It’s not simple to alter a recreation plan mid-series, however Australia’s batters should tweak their method from the dismal second Test failure in Delhi which surrendered the sequence to India. A cavalcade of irresponsible sweep photographs contributed to one of the crucial embarrassing collapses in Australian Test match cricket, and spin twins Ravi Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin gained’t be letting up within the third Test at Indore. However, Cameron Green has not dominated out using the sweep shot, if circumstances permit – given it was the signature shot within the sensible 77 he made in opposition to Sri Lanka in Galle final yr.

3. WHERE IS THE FUTURE FOR TRAVIS HEAD?

The assumption is Head will revert again to his middle-order position after this sequence, however is it assured? With David Warner’s Test match future below a cloud there is no such thing as a apparent successor on the high of the order ought to selectors determine to make a change. England nice Michael Vaughan feels Head could have success batting in his common place at No.5 as a result of the Duke’s ball in England will cease swinging after 30 overs. However, unleashing the freewheeling Head on the high of the order will surely ship a message to Baz Ball that Australia is able to battle hearth with hearth. Watching how Head handles the following two Tests opening the batting will likely be intriguing.

4. CAN MITCHELL STARC PERFORM WITH A SORE FINGER?

The massive left-armer must push via the ache barrier in Indore, with the center finger on his bowling hand nonetheless not fully snug within the launch of the ball. But Australia desperately wants Starc again within the assault and as massive a loss as Cummins is, the addition of Starc may give the assault a brand new edge. Starc’s potential to get tailenders out is with out peer, and that’s what Australia has did not do within the first two Tests with Axar Patel working away with matchwinning innings coming in at No.8. Starc can also be rated among the finest exponents of reverse swing within the trendy period and his footmarks can create additional bother for Indian batsmen when Nathan Lyon comes onto bowl. Starc is Australia’s greatest subcontinental fast and will make an enormous distinction if his finger permits.

5. BOLAND OR A THIRD SPINNER?

Test doyen Greg Chappell wrote a powerful newspaper column, adamant Australia erred tactically by not backing in Scott Boland for the second Test in Delhi. Chappell argues Australia ought to be taking part in to its energy – quick bowling – moderately than attempting to get sucked into the spin recreation India is taking part in with extra expert operators. Boland stored issues extraordinarily tight within the first Test however didn’t take a wicket. In the second Test selectors felt they wanted so as to add the left-arm number of spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, however that left them with just one quick bowler. Cameron Green’s return actually makes it much less dangerous for Australia to play three spinners, however is it the fitting name? If Boland was introduced again, the following query is who drops out – Kuhnemann or spectacular rookie, Todd Murphy? With Nathan Lyon and Travis Head within the aspect, Murphy’s off-spin may be extra dispensable, however it could be a large name given how excellent the 22-year-old was on debut in Nagpur.

6. CAN PETER HANDSCOMB BOOK HIMSELF AN ASHES TRIP?

Selectors may need initially introduced Handscomb again as an Indian specialist, however his return to the squad may develop into extra everlasting if he finishes off the final two Tests with a bang. Handscomb has an OK document in England, his nation of delivery, and the flexibility he brings to the squad along with his expertise as a back-up wicketkeeper can’t be underestimated. To his credit score, Handscomb seems to have returned to Test cricket a extra full batsman, and his temperament, health ranges and fielding talents are all first-class. Hard to think about a greater middle-order back-up possibility for the Ashes, though Josh Inglis has simply scored a century in Sheffield Shield cricket and doubtless deserves inclusion as a specialist No.2 keeper.

7. WHAT’S THIS TEAM REALLY MADE OF?

The third Test is a large Test for the fibre of this Australian dressing room. The chips are down, the squad has been decimated, however but the tour is simply half over. There is a lot to play for. Australia can cement qualification for a rematch in opposition to India within the World Test Championship with a draw or a win within the remaining two Tests. Momentum can also be a giant factor in cricket, and Australia desperately have to reclaim its mojo within the final Test cricket they’ll play earlier than the massive winter in England. Staying within the battle is the massive problem.