In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against India this summer, Australia’s Test skipper Pat Cummins anticipates that all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh would see more ball time.
With the team’s main speed assault, Cummins wants both all-rounders to split the burden throughout the demanding five-Test series that begins in November.
“It’s been huge (having the all-rounders). In some ways we haven’t had to use them as much as we thought we would. Which is a great thing. The last couple of summers have been pretty light (with) quick Test matches,” Cummins said at the launch of Play Cricket week.
“I suspect this summer might be a bit different at time. We’ll be drawing on Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit more.
“Even someone like Cam basically started in Shield cricket as a bowler but hasn’t had to bowl heaps in Test matches. Now he is a few years older, I think we will be leaning on him a bit more,” he added.
In 28 Tests so far in his career, the 25-year-old Green has claimed 35 wickets at an average of 35.31.
“The first point is they (Green and Marsh) both absolutely make the top six on their batting alone which is a luxury,” Cummins said.
“We’re really lucky that Nathan Lyon bowls plenty of overs, so you don’t necessarily have to have an all-rounder, but it makes a big difference to have that fifth bowling option.
“And with someone like Cam and Mitch we have six bowling options. It’s a really nice thing to have. Top six should always make the team on their batting.”
Bowling teammates of Cummins have expressed openly how having a bowling captain has helped the squad manage workloads.
“It’s nice of them to say that, they’d never say it to my face,” Cummins replied.
“They know I’m doing it on the other end too, so when I ask them to do something at the top of their mark, they know I can’t ask for something I can’t do myself. Perhaps some trust has been established over the past ten or so years.”
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