Tim Paine: ‘There’ll be a lot of talk about our batting – and rightly so’

[MenInG]

Australia captain Tim Paine has expressed his disappointment at how his side capitulated during the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai, heavily defeated by 373 runs as the hosts sealed a 1-0 series victory.

The wicket-keeper admits it's a massive concern and has cited a plethora of issues that his side needs to address, especially in the batting department. “It’s technical, it’s mental, it’s pressure – it’s a mixture of all those things,” he said after the second Test.

“We didn’t play well enough. We let a huge opportunity slip, having a team 50-odd for five on day one. Allowing them to get where they did and put pressure back on us is really disappointing. There’ll be a lot of talk about our batting – and rightly so.

“There’s a lot of work to be done but we’re not hiding from it. We applied ourselves really well in the second innings of the first Test, but to take one step forward then two steps back here is disappointing.”

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas took match-figures of 10/95, and after ten Tests has a superb bowling average of 15.64. Paine concedes that Australia couldn’t provide an answer to the threat posed by the 28-year-old.

“He’s incredibly disciplined – challenges your front-foot defence every ball. He makes the batsman make a decision – shall I go forward or back, play or leave? He bowls constant good areas.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/881062

 

[MenInG]

Justin Langer and Tim Paine believe the Test side's batting problems reflect systemic issues in Australian cricket, painting a concerning picture heading into a showdown with the world's No.1 Test nation this summer.

Australia's thrashing in Abu Dhabi, which consigned them to a sixth successive series defeat in Asia, came after two more sub-standard performances with the bat, totals of 145 and 164 handing them a record loss by 373 runs.

It's been a familiar tale in recent years; putting aside their defiant fourth innings that saved the Dubai Test a week ago, Australia's average total from their past 10 Test innings is just 192 and only twice in those 10 knocks have they faced more than 75 overs.

Of greater concern is their tendency to lose wickets in a hurry; the Aussies have now suffered a collapse of 7-75 or worse in half of their last 26 Tests stretching back to the 2016 Sri Lanka tour.

And since the start of the 2015 Ashes, they've lost all 10 wickets for less than 150 runs on 18 occasions, with 15 of those coming abroad.

Most discouraging of all for Langer is the fact it's trend he's noticed at domestic level as well.

"If you look at this round of Sheffield Shield cricket, I know a number of the states have also had some big batting collapses as well," Langer said of the opening round of the Shield competition, which included defending champions Queensland being bowled out for just 148 and 93.

"I've been in the state system watching for a long time and I've watched this.

"There wouldn't be a state coach out there who would be saying it's all rainbows and butterflies after this weekend's cricket because of the collapses.

"There's certainly some focus we have to have. We can't sugar coat it any longer, I don't think."

Langer recounted an anecdote that argued technique mattered more than mental toughness, praised a technical change he saw in Travis Head's development across four Test innings, and said chances would come for batsmen prepared to graft at the domestic level.

"If I'm a young batsman in Australia, it's a pretty exciting time (because) if you work really hard on your basic game and you learn how to make runs, then there will be huge opportunities in the Australian cricket team," Langer said.

The raw statistics prove Langer's theory about the declining standards of Shield batting to be correct.

In the first decade of the 21st century, when Langer was one of a multitude of star batsman dominating Test cricket, five players scored more than 5,000 Sheffield Shield runs at averages between 48 and 61.

In the nine years since, only two players – Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja – average in excess of 45 in the Shield and in an even shorter time frame, since the start of the 2015-16 season, not one player boasts an average higher than 50.

"We're in a much different stage of Australian cricket history, aren't we?" Langer said.

"It's usually harder to get out of the side than it is to get into the side. It used to be a beautiful thing

"If you were the hunter, it used to be a shocking thing when you were playing. If you were the hunted, well that's sort of good, but you knew there were hunters coming at you all the time. There was always pressure."

Paine echoed his coach's sentiments, both about the decline of batting standards at domestic level and that there are spots up for grabs for any player who can buck the trend at Shield level.

Play Video
Paine praises Abbas, laments another collapse

"There's no doubt this has been happening for too long for the Australian cricket team, not just our Test team but probably domestically," Paine said.

"There's a lot of collapses throughout our batting group and I think a lot of it can be technical. For some guys it will be mental and other guys it will be tactical or your plans not being right for certain bowlers.

"There's no shying away from the fact we have a hell of a lot to do on our batting. And it's in this team and it's through the whole country.

"Clearly it would be a pretty exciting time to be a batsman around Shield cricket at the moment if you're scoring hundreds, there's no doubt about that.

"There's opportunity for everyone and the batting group that are here are also a part of that."

Round two of the Shield season begins on Thursday, live streamed on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, and a total of four more rounds before the first Test against India, starting on December 6.

Qantas T20 Tour of the UAE

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Mitch Marsh (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shinwari, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood, Faheem Ashraf

Oct 22: Only T20 v UAE, Abu Dhabi

Oct 24: First T20, Abu Dhabi

Oct 26: Second T20, Dubai

Oct 28: Third T20, Dubai

*All matches against Pakistan start at 8pm local time, 3am the following day AEDT


https://www.cricket.com.au/news/aus...er-tim-paine-test-sheffield-shield/2018-10-20

 

[Savak]

So much talk about Australia's world class domestic cricket structure but they last quality batsmen who can play all 3 formats of the game and change their games accordingly. Maybe this proves that world class talent supersedes domestic cricket?

Also someone like Tim Paine seems like a forced selection and captain on the team. I understand he was appointed on an emergency basis in the 3rd test match against South Africa but the guy cannot even cement his place in the team as a player alone, surely Australia will have better options in captaincy and wicket keeper batsman than him because i struggle to see how he can command the respect of his team mates atm.

 

[Mamoon]

So much talk about Australia's world class domestic cricket structure but they last quality batsmen who can play all 3 formats of the game and change their games accordingly. Maybe this proves that world class talent supersedes domestic cricket?

Also someone like Tim Paine seems like a forced selection and captain on the team. I understand he was appointed on an emergency basis in the 3rd test match against South Africa but the guy cannot even cement his place in the team as a player alone, surely Australia will have better options in captaincy and wicket keeper batsman than him because i struggle to see how he can command the respect of his team mates atm.

World class talent and does not supersede world class domestic cricket. You need both, but world class setup plays a bigger role. If the platform is there to produce top cricketers, the talent will eventually flow through. Australia is the greatest cricketing nation of all time and there is a reason for it. You cannot achieve what they have achieved in this game on talent or on good domestic cricket alone - clearly, they have had both in abundance.

They are still producing top class pacers, but they have not produced a world class batsman since Smith or a world class wicket-keeper batsman since Gilchrist, who retired 11 years ago. Every team goes through periods of famine where they cannot produce great players for a certain number of years, but Australia will be back with a bang and will always remain a cricketing giant.

Appoint Paine as captain was an overreaction and they probably realise it. He is too mediocre a player to captain the Australian team, and the sensible thing to do would be to give Smith the captaincy when he returns, although it is not going to happen.

 

[Savak]

World class talent and does not supersede world class domestic cricket. You need both, but world class setup plays a bigger role. If the platform is there to produce top cricketers, the talent will eventually flow through. Australia is the greatest cricketing nation of all time and there is a reason for it. You cannot achieve what they have achieved in this game on talent or on good domestic cricket alone - clearly, they have had both in abundance.

They are still producing top class pacers, but they have not produced a world class batsman since Smith or a world class wicket-keeper batsman since Gilchrist, who retired 11 years ago. Every team goes through periods of famine where they cannot produce great players for a certain number of years, but Australia will be back with a bang and will always remain a cricketing giant.

Appoint Paine as captain was an overreaction and they probably realise it. He is too mediocre a player to captain the Australian team, and the sensible thing to do would be to give Smith the captaincy when he returns, although it is not going to happen.

But then why dismiss Pakistani Cricket to doomsday for just being eternally rubbish and the fact that is just what we deserve, that is what is written in our destiny and dismiss any explanation for the root cause of all our problems being a poor domestic cricket structure

 

[MenInG]

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/jus...ique-footwork-pakistan-test-series/2018-10-21

Australia’s coach Justin Langer has urged his batsmen to use their feet more following his side's 373-run defeat against Pakistan, which saw them lose the two-Test series 1-0.

Australia’s batting folded for 145 and 164 in the second Test in Abu Dhabi, with none of their batsmen reaching half centuries against some accurate seam bowling by Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, who finished with ten wickets in the match.

In contrast, Australia put up a great fight in the first Test to avert defeat in Dubai, with Usman Khawaja scoring a match saving 141 and 85, Aaron Finch scoring 62 and 49, Travis Head 72 and skipper Tim Paine 61 not out.

Langer, himself a batsman of great repute, said Australia’s batting problems were technical as much as mental.

“I think what I’m really intrigued about is you’re not allowed to use the word 'technique' anymore,” said Langer, who scored 7696 runs in 105 Tests during an illustrious career.

“I was brought up in Australian cricket where we did a lot of bowling machine work and we did a lot of talk on technique. Technique to me is about footwork patterns and playing forward when it’s full and back when it’s back. They’re just really basics of the game.

“You talk about the great Australian players, they moved their feet like boxers, every one of them. They had footwork patterns and then from there you have the skill of run-scoring ability

“The technique is really important, and I think now there’s a lot of talk, because of white-ball cricket, that you just have wide stances and you just stand and deliver.

“Well, that’s OK but … when the ball starts moving around, if you don’t move your feet then you’re going to come unstuck.”

Langer said he couldn't sleep after his team let Pakistan off on day one of the second Test, from a precarious 5-57 to 282 all out.

"I didn’t sleep very well that first night," said Langer. "We had them 5-57, and that night, Pakistan ended up with 282 and I know how hard Test cricket is.

“When you have people on the ropes you have to capitalise. Particularly a team like this and particularly they had Mohamad Abbas, who bowled beautifully.”

Both Australia and Pakistan will now play a series of three Twenty20 internationals, the first of which in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Qantas Tour of the UAE

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez

First Test: Match drawn

Second Test: Pakistan won by 373 runs

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/jus...ique-footwork-pakistan-test-series/2018-10-21

 

[giri26]

Justin Langer calls on Shaun Marsh to make “irresistible case” for selection

AUSTRALIA coach Justin Langer has called on Shaun Marsh to make an “irresistible” case to be retained in the Test team this summer and said the criticism both Marsh brothers have received is not surprising.

S.Marsh averaged 3.50 during Australia’s Test series defeat to Pakistan while Mitch Marsh was marginally better, averaging 7.50. With those performances in mind, Langer is not surprised the pair have copped much of the criticism that has followed the 1-0 series loss.

“If you play well people write nice things about you,” Langer said on SEN on Wednesday. “If you don’t, then they don’t write nice things about you. The boys didn’t play very well.”

However, he is not ruling either man out of contention for Test selection this summer. He believes both have proven they have the ability to succeed at the highest level, as they showed in last summer’s Ashes, but wants to see that form more often.

S.Marsh was the Ashes’ second highest run-scorer last summer (445 at 74.16), while M.Marsh averaged more than 100 (320 at 106.66). Both men scored two centuries in Australia’s 4-0 Ashes. Since then they have averaged 13.40 and 17.16 respectively.

“Their consistency isn’t where they’d like to be so therefore they have the great highs and the great lows,” Langer said.

“He’s (S.Marsh) such a good player when he’s going, but it’s completely up to him to maintain that form and make it irresistible for us to pick him.

“He’s (M.Marsh) such a good player but he’s got to perform. Every player has to perform, that’s just the reality … we know his talent, we know he’s a brilliant bloke around the team. He’s a great talent so we’re very hopeful he finds his focus and starts performing like he’d like to and we’d like him to.

“We’ve got faith in him, we’ve got faith in Shaun and Mitch, but when you’re not performing I understand why people criticise. There’s not a player in Australia where if you’re not playing well people won’t lose faith in, that’s just Australian cricket.”

Aside from Usman Khawaja — who Langer is hopeful will play a Sheffield Shield match before the first Test against India — and Aaron Finch, none of Australia’s batsmen found a way to consistently impress against Pakistan and the team is now winless across its past five Test. It’s a formline that dictates that spots are up for grabs and Langer has called on the country's domestic players to push their cases.

“When you continue to bat like we are in Australian cricket at the moment it’s always open because the team isn’t performing.”

“You should pick the best players and the guys that are making the most runs at the time so you’re picking your best eleven.

“Whether you’re an 18-year-old wonder boy or a 30-year-old run-machine then you should pick the blokes who are making the most runs.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...n/news-story/59d16dca479ad3f760a9ad4eaec18774