Cricket - 5 Thoughts Ahead of Australia's 2-Test Tour of Bangladesh
1. Bangladesh Are Dangerous at Home
Australia's will be looking to capitalise on their improved display in India when they take on Bangladesh in a 2-Test Series starting Dhaka on Sunday. Australia pushed India all the way in their home conditions before surrendering the last test to lose the Series 2-1. After some disastrous clean sweeps in the Sub-Continent over a two year period, little was expected from Steve Smith's side, and I think that lack of expectation actually helped the side as they flew under the radar. However, all that good will and improvement will quickly be forgotten if Australia were to take a step backwards and be stunned by an improving Bangladeshi side. Without two key bowlers in Mitchell Starc and Steven O'Keefe, Australia could be vulnerable here coming off a decent Winter break. Bangladesh are starting to emerge as a real force at home, after seemingly a decade of false dawns. Let's remember in their last home series, Bangladesh drew 1-1 with England in a series where they were unlucky not to win 2-0 after capitulating in slight of victory in the 2nd Test. The Bangladeshi spinners dominated the England batsmen, with star left armer Shakib-al-Hasan and off spin prodigy Mehedi Hasan Miraz combining for 31 wickets at an average of 17. The Bangladesh wickets favoured spin so heavily that the hosts, quite incredibly, only got one wicket via pace bowling across the two Tests, meaning another trial via spin awaits Australia here.
2. Handscomb Keeping Option Could Spell Bad news for Wade
It was interesting to hear Peter Handscomb open to the suggestion of throwing back on the gloves, if required, in Bangladesh. Given Australia are likely to want to play 5 bowlers in sub-continental conditions, Handscomb taking the gloves has some appeal as it opens up another spot for a specialist batsman. Handscomb has made a fantastic start to his Test career, averaging 54 from just 8 Tests from the Number 5 position. In India, Handscomb often looked good but failed to capitalise on a number of starts, finishing the series with an average of 28 in the 4 Test Matches. I think, at this stage, Wade would consider himself unlucky to miss out given what he has bought to the side since his return. Whilst I am not his biggest fan, he did a good job behind the stumps in India, and certainly showed the improvement with the gloves that many craved. Since Wade has returned to the side, Australia have won 5 from 8 Tests and been highly competitive in a combative series in India. Wade, like Warner, is one of the sides attack dogs and the qualities Wade provides, seems to have added some mongrel to the side which was what was intended. Wade played a couple of fighting innings in India, however overall he has been underwhelmimg with the bat since his return. The bottom Line is Wade needs to be both scoring runs and keeping at a high level in the near future as the Handscomb option makes sense.
3. Can Ashton Agar Establish Himself?
With Steven O'Keefe out of the picture, Ashton Agar has the chance to establish himself as Australia's Number 2 spinner behind Nathan Lyon in Bangladesh. With the home side likely to field a trio of spinners, and wickets likely to be dry and turning, there is every chance Agar will get his opportunity after a few years toiling away in Shield after his whirlwind debut in Test Cricket against England. Agar's numbers certainly don't jump off the page, averaging 41 with the ball in Shield Cricket and a respectable 26 with the bat. You couldn't say those numbers make him a genuine all-rounder, although the selectors obviously believe the potential is there to develop into one. Whilst I haven't seen a heap of Agar given Shield cricket is hard to get access to, one thing a left arm spinner must do is have relentless consistency and be able to contain, if not taking wickets. Whilst Australia are unlikely to play two spinners back home, Agar, with runs or wickets in Bangladesh, could potentially put his name in the frame for a Number 7 or 6 batting spot down the track, which would increase his chance of selection. Personally I don't think he's quite good enough with bat or ball at this point, however other genuine second spinning options look thin on the ground, and Agar's ability with the bat, and in the field, sees him with his nose in front. At this stage it looks his spot to lose in these conditions.
4. Time Is Now for Maxwell to Establish Himself
Glenn Maxwell is perhaps the most interesting and polarising player in Australia ahead of what is a bumper Ashes season. Australia has struggled to fill its Number 6 position over the past few years, experimenting with everything from specialist batsmen, to batting all-rounders, to bowling all-rounders. Maxwell, for mine, should see himself as a genuine batsman at Number 6, although it's good to see he is working harder on his bowling as it gives him an even stronger case in tight selections. Maxwell's bowling is something that's dropped off over the past couple of years, to the point where he was given only 6 overs in total on raging turners in India, and wasn't considered for bowling in several ODI's. With the likes of Travis Head starting to make big impressions and getting more overs under his belt, Maxwell will know his spot is far from secure. Maxwell's breakthrough 100 in India was remarkable for the patience and discipline he displayed, which has not been a hallmark of his batting over the past few years. Whilst he has always had freakish talent and a pretty sound technique, it was Maxwell's temperament which seemed the main concern. However he will need to maintain the rage and be consistent with the bat first and foremost if he wants to secure his spot in Australia's Ashes line up.
5. Cummins Can Prove His Durability
Pat Cummins made his long awaited return to the Test team with a dynamic display in the 3rd and 4th Tests in India. Cummins' 8-wickets at 30 might look like a steady return, rather then anything spectacular, however he troubled all of India's top order and was unlucky not to end the Tour with double digit wickets. Importantly Cummins got through 77 overs on docile tracks, and looked a much stronger and more durable bowler than the player who suffered a treacherous 5 years with injury. You can see the confidence in his body returning to Cummins and, with ability to bowl up towards 150km, he remains one of the most valuable assets in Australian cricket if he can get up and running. With Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson recovering from injury, Cummins can perhaps force his way further up the pecking order in this 2-Test series as a new ball option. Competition for pace bowling spots in the much anticipated Ashes' series will be hot if everyone is fit, and Cummins has a further chance here to prove his durability and quality against an average opponent in tough bowling conditions.