Star Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh looks to be under a level of doubt for the second Test in Adelaide, as selectors ponder the thought of another curveball.
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Meanwhile, a former Australian gun has gone into bat for his old side amid a wave of criticism after their 295-run loss in Perth.
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AUSSIES QUESTIONED OVER ‘AURA’
Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock has put the national side’s on-field optics during the first Test in Perth under the microscope.
Speaking on Fox Sports’ The Back Page, the Australian cricket journalist used recently retired great David Warner as an example of the tone that should’ve been set while fielding.
“I have never heard a quieter Australian team on stump mic; and I think the absence of Warner, that was telling there — the man who gets them up,” Craddock begun by saying.
“Australia used to have an aura.
“It’s amazing to think young Jaiswal, aged 22 and his first tour of Australia, would have the gumption to say to Mitchell Starc: ‘You’re bowling too slowly’ — and he wasn’t even provoked.
“Nitish Reddy, the young all-rounder, came down and started whacking Australia everywhere — and there was no response. I just think that since ‘Sandpaper-gate’, this team has lost its aura a bit.
“Being the ugly Australian team is one thing, but body language is so important to any sporting team … the body language was as timid as any team I’ve ever seen from Australia; I just couldn’t believe it.
Jaiswal was a thorn in Australia’s side during the second innings, hitting an epic 161 to steer India to victory, while Reddy hit crucial runs in each innings batting at number eight.
Craddock also pointed towards the collective form slump of several Australian batters, and that their own individual mindsets may also be contributing to a tamer on-field team persona than seen in previous years.
“Players consumed by form slumps, suddenly go very quiet — and I think that’s a factor too.”
‘The most timid Aussie side’ Craddock | 02:25
INJURY CLOUDS HOVERS OVER MARSH
Another potential selection headache has appeared over the heads of Australian selectors, with question marks on the fitness of star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh after the first Test.
After bowling 17 overs in Perth for his three wickets, Marsh looks to be under a level of doubt for the second Test in Adelaide; granted the extent of his soreness is not fully known.
“The same people in that changeroom are the same people that will be in Adelaide,” McDonald said post-match in Perth.
“Has he (Marsh) pulled up okay? We’ll wait and see.
“We knew that Mitch was slightly underdone coming in, but I thought the performance in the first innings was satisfactory.”
Marsh has regularly been a golden arm option for Australia since his re-inclusion back in the Test side in Leeds last year, but an injury to Western Australia teammate Cameron Green has forced captain Pat Cummins to turn to Marsh more than he would otherwise.
The nation’s bowling stocks were severely tested in India’s second innings in Perth, with the Aussies using seven bowlers across 134.3 overs before India’s declaration.
‘Marnus should not be bowling!’ | 03:58
Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head are viable options for part-time spin, however the former’s turn towards seam-up tactics were criticised heavily by the Australian public; emphasising the importance that Marsh brings with the ball.
Should Marsh not be considered fit for Adelaide, uncapped wicketkeeper-bat Josh Inglis looks would almost certainly be his replacement; given he is he only batter in the 13-man squad that did not play in Perth.
Seamer Scott Boland is the other reserve player in the squad.
Remembering Phillip Hughes 10 years on | 08:13
STAR GOES INTO BAT FOR FORMER TEAMMATES
Former Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe has strongly defended his nation’s Test side amid a wave of criticism, labelling the influx as “tall poppy syndrome”.
“It frustrates me … I think the pile on is unjustified,” the retired left-arm orthodox told SEN on Tuesday.
“The pile on is just indicative of a lot of people wanting to come out, (express) tall poppy syndrome in Australia, and latch onto this team.
“I think the pile on has been rough… we do expect a high standard of that team, so there’s some frustrations out there — but they’re not coming from my end.”
“We’re looking at a team that is number one in the world; this is a champion team for a reason. You put these guys in a corner, and they’ll respond — and they have done it time, and time again.
“I’m backing this Australian team to turn it around.”
O’Keefe played nine Test matches for Australia, taking 35 wickets at an average of just 29.40.
