Test cricket in Darwin is an oddity, as Australia and Bangladesh prepare for the first five-dayer in the Top End since 2004. But there is something downright strange about the red-ball adventure the Australians are about to embark on.
The two-Test series against Bangladesh, including the second match scheduled for Mackay in two weeks, begins a schedule of at least 20 Tests for the Australian team over the coming 12-month period.
Alex Carey, who was catapulted into conversations as the world’s best gloveman after his Ashes performances over the Australian summer, said he cannot wait to begin. “It’s been a pretty long winter sitting around ready and preparing for the next game,” he said.
“To be honest, this group of players are really professional in the way that they look after themselves, really experienced with getting themselves up for each Test match and really match-hardened as well. So for myself, I’m excited by what the future has. But in footy terms, one week at a time.”
The former GWS Giant might be entitled to use a footy aphorism, but it is impossible not to look past a series scheduled in the depths of the Australian winter against weak opposition; Bangladesh were skittled for 54 in their second innings in a tour match in Darwin against a Cricket Australia XI last week.
Australia’s October series in South Africa is a chance to make up for failures of the past three tours in a country the team has not travelled to for six years. Next year delivers blockbuster five-Test showdowns overseas against India and England.
After Australia’s ageing side limped through a successful if injury-plagued summer, it is appropriate to wonder just how the bowlers will be managed in the coming year. Carey straight-batted a question on how Australia can get the best out of the bowling attack in such a compressed schedule. “[We’re] not looking too far ahead, it’s a game where we play each ball on its merit and is a contest in itself,” he said. “We have a really good bowling attack – hopefully they can take 20 wickets each Test match in a short amount of time.”
Captain Pat Cummins is back in the side after playing just one Ashes Test over the summer due to a back issue, and he is joined in the squad by Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon who have also been sidelined. At 33, Cummins is the youngest of Australia’s leading quintet, which also features Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. All are named in the squad for this match, as quicks Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett, as well as spinner Todd Murphy were only included as part of the wider training squad.
All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster may provide some respite for Australia’s attack, given both are in contention to be named in the XI. The latter believes the pair can play together. “I’ve always said in the last 12 to 24 months when these conversations come up, it’s surely more of a benefit to have more options in that top seven with the ball, and I certainly don’t see it as a direct competition, I feel like it only adds more options,” Webster said.
Webster has been fielding in slips during training in Darwin, and said he feels more confident as a Test player after two years on the team’s fringes. The Tasmanian scored 71 not out and took three wickets in the New Year’s Test, and has scored consistently for Warwickshire in recent months.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that I’m good enough [to play] at this level,” he said. “In the lead up to being selected in that first Test, the question was, ‘Do you feel ready?’ Although I was probably bluffing myself saying ‘absolutely’, at the end of the day, you probably don’t really know until you get out there and face the the bowlers from other countries and are put in situations with big crowds and big moments in games of cricket where you’re expected to perform.”
The Australian player under most pressure this week, however, might be opener Jake Weatherald. The 31-year-old is averaging just 22 from five Tests, and now faces a crucial series beginning in his hometown of Darwin.
Mark Waugh has declared Weatherald needs runs against Bangladesh in order to secure selection for the South Africa tour and the batter has heard the conjecture. “It always is a challenge, especially when you get people that you respect and stuff like that, say things about your batting or your game,” he said. “You’re naturally always looking for affirmations and people to respect what you’re doing, but at the same time, that’s a part of cricket.”
