Steve Smith spoke with his right index finger. literally. In the first test he delivered a very early and painful blow when his racket hit the net on the eve of the third test. It was a long delivery as he slammed into the glove off the field thanks to head coach Andrew McDonald’s sidearm. This caused Smith to remove and throw away his gloves and was on the brink of distress. He then came right back and worked his way through the discomfort. At least for the next 15-20 minutes, even if the vital fingers of your hand under your grip throb every time you try to force a long delivery.
By the time the corner moved to his net and the numbness in his index finger began to heal, Smith had changed his tactics in relation to what he was trying to achieve in his session at the net. The SCG is no longer just preparing for the first tests of the year. Even if he was eventually rectified completely by Michael Di Venuto and sent off with stumps knocked back, “that means we still have 20 minutes left.” Smith’s attention and focus completely shifted to the challenges that may lie ahead over the next five days, especially those in India starting next month. Around him, the Test team’s other top batsmen were doing the same, including one likely to return to set-up and play a key role in India.Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne swept off the stamp While we were busy exchanging notes on how best to execute our shots, Matt Renshaw was busy negotiating spins on his new ball. It was clear Australia were using the Sydney test as a sort of perfect dress rehearsal for a series of four tests beginning a month and a day after the scheduled finish in Nagpur.
After several deliveries to get his fingers working again, Smith walked to the other side of the pitch, scratching the surface with his spikes, creating a virtual “rough” area for McDonald to throw a few breaks. created. Ironically, at SCG, this was the same net India used to prepare for Nathan Lyon two years ago. On that occasion, Washington Thunder took on the role of McDonald and, incredibly, played the final test of this dramatic series in Gabba.
Much like Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in 2020, Smith began to find ways to counter as well as bowl to similar places once R Ashwin arrived in India. But it’s also possible he’ll have to do it against Simon Hammer in Sydney in his next five days. Especially given the Australian camp’s belief that the pitch would collapse early here, with spinners having a fair amount of say during testing on the SCG changes. That was the case during the Sheffield Shield season, and as even Pat Cummins said in a press conference, it works perfectly for the Australian team at the top of the subcontinent’s challenge.
There were other signs the Australians were concentrating on Sydney, but they had their eyes set on India the day before in their first training session of the year at the SCG, starting with fast bowlers breaking with old, worn balls. increase.
Cummins and Lance Morris, in particular, steamed back relentlessly for almost 45 minutes on the backswing ball that poor Travis Head and Labecagne somehow had to deal with. It wasn’t easy or easy.It’s fair to say that the fast bowlers have the most bragging rights.But Cummins wasn’t alone in the amount of second-half moves Rabchagne could generate, as well as the bucks. I also always listened to the exact timing of the swing. He also seemed pleased that those who were able to maneuver from right-handed to the shiny side performed much better than those who came back.
Scott Boland and Josh Hazelwood tried before them. Boland, in particular, landed the ball at very challenging lengths and kept the ball moving backwards, making him unplayable at times. Imagine him having to face off against Borland when he slows the ball and sews it the length. Alex Carey tried but was hit repeatedly after a point and gave up. And with Smith replacing him and eventually being beaten, he seemed pretty happy with himself. As I watched in awe, Carrie called out with a laugh.
Rivers his swing will eventually play a major role during the India Tour, especially at several venues starting in Nagpur. And Cummins also talked about what drives him to do better, given the impact of his backswing in Karachi and Lahore last year.
“I think we are decent. It’s a task that takes a little practice. Mitchell Stark is really good at it. It’s a natural part of his behavior. Me and his Joshy (Hazlewood) just need a slightly different mechanic. It takes a little practice, but I did this week and I’ve got a good lead heading into India, so I’m going to practice a lot before that. Goes to India as someone who can wreak wild havoc with his backswing ball for his extra speed. “I think everyone can do it. Scotty and Josie are great reverse swing bowlers. Lance has the speed difference. 150km is a handful, whether the field is flat or the ball is rocking,” Cummins said. The strategic elements of playing and winning in India were also discussed in the Australian camp. And how the conditions in Sydney this time around will help plan around that, such as how to set up the test and how to keep up.
A win in Sydney would ensure Australia qualify for the final of the Test World Championship, but for Cummins & Co., by ticking a few boxes designed for India along the way, Get off to a perfect start to the year.