Pat Cummins has emphasized the crucial role of allrounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh as Australia prepares for a challenging Test series against India. With the team set to face a grueling schedule of five Tests in just over seven weeks, Cummins anticipates a significant reliance on Green and Marsh to maintain the effectiveness of Australia’s pace attack.
Last season, Australia successfully fielded an unchanged frontline attack, with Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood delivering consistently across seven Tests. The team managed to avoid exhausting their bowlers, as none of the matches extended to a fifth day, and only a few innings required extensive overs.
However, this summer’s conditions may present a different challenge. “It’s been huge having the allrounders,” Cummins said, noting that while Green and Marsh have not been extensively used in previous seasons, their roles will be more prominent against India. Green, who has taken 35 wickets at an average of 35.31 in Tests, will be expected to shoulder a greater bowling workload, complementing his batting prowess.
“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.”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.”
The addition of allrounders like Green and Marsh provides Australia with valuable flexibility, offering a fifth bowling option and strengthening the top six with their batting abilities. Cummins acknowledged the benefits of having such versatile players, particularly in managing the workload during intense Test series.
As Australia gears up for the India series, Cummins will miss the September tour to England to focus on fitness and prepare for the upcoming Test and ODI commitments. He will also likely participate in the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales and may join the ODI series against Pakistan in early November. Despite the heavy schedule, Cummins is not expected to feature in the BBL with Sydney Thunder.
Australia’s fast-bowling depth, including Scott Boland, Michael Neser, and Lance Morris, along with emerging talents like Xavier Bartlett and Jhye Richardson, will be crucial in supporting the main pace trio. The team’s strategic use of allrounders and additional bowlers will be key to maintaining their performance throughout the summer and beyond.
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