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Healy and Whateley outline their concerns for Australia ahead of Boxing Day
Andrew Slevison • December 19th, 2024 11:24 am
Australia enters the Boxing Day Test against India in a precarious position.
Following the Gabba draw, which has the series tied at 1-1, the Aussies must avoid defeat in Melbourne to keep alive their hopes of winning back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from India’s firm grasp.
A win would put them in pole position. A draw would make the fifth and final Test in Sydney an absolute must-watch event.
But in order to get the result required at the MCG, the batting lineup must correct things quickly, according to Ian Healy.
Despite making 445 in the first innings in Brisbane thanks to Travis Head and Steve Smith centuries plus 70 from Alex Carey, the Australians failed in the second dig when eventually declaring at 7/89.
Of course they went out swinging in a bid to put scoreboard pressure on India in the rain-affected contest, but the shots some of the batsmen played suggests to Healy that there is a form issue.
The former Aussie wicketkeeper believes questions could be asked of chief selector George Bailey in the lead-up to the all-important MCG Test.
“I don’t see them regressing going into Melbourne, but they are out of form, they’re seriously out of form,” Healy said on SEN Cricket’s coverage off the third Test.
“Questions have got to be asked of George Bailey: ‘Can we get this form back? Are you confident that form will reemerge in our top three?’
“Otherwise changes have to be made, and ‘what suggestions might you have for us, George?’ That type of thing.
“The Melbourne Test is probably the least volatile wicket they’ll play on and that’s their best chance.
“But form takes a little longer than a week to turn around, and it’s just not coming for them.
“They’ve got to get right back to basics and strip it right back. See the ball and hit it, don’t care where your feet go.
“That’s the first step, just get some clarity in your head.”
Gerard Whateley was also critical towards those with willow in hand.
He can understand the mindset of captain Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald in chasing the win by trying to put on quick runs in the second dig.
However, their attempts might have placed on full display a few weaknesses within, centred around Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith.
“I think the strategy is fair enough, ‘the Australian way’,” Whateley said.
“We actually dominated this Test match and we wanted to push the issue. I think I’m ok with that.
“But what do you give to the opposition? And here’s what they gave to the opposition:
“Khawaja looked old, he got beaten for speed. Labuschagne looked nowhere, he didn’t know what he was doing and maybe the worst shot he played all summer (when caught behind for 1).
“McSweeney looked completely unsuited by what he was asked to do. Marsh, who is a clean hitter, never looked likely. And Smith has this fault down the leg side which he fed again.
“So in all of those cases you gave something to the opposition while sorting nothing out for yourself.”
The overreactions did come thick and fast following the first Test disaster in Perth, kicking Australia into gear for the Adelaide onslaught before the Aussies made most of the running in Brisbane.
Perhaps these latest outside concerns will have a similar impact in Melbourne.
The fourth Test kicks off at the MCG on December 26. You can hear all the action live across the SEN network.
Watch SEN Cricket’s highlights of the third Test from the Gabba below:
