The world of international cricket has swiftly pivoted from the thrills of the World Cup to the rigour of bilateral series. It may seem like a distant memory, but Australia’s remarkable victory to clinch their sixth World Cup crown by defeating India in the finals in Ahmedabad was only a mere eight days ago. Since that momentous triumph, the Australian and Indian cricket teams have squared off in two T20Is from their five-match series, while New Zealand and Bangladesh begin their two-match Test series today, on November 28.
While a number of Australia’s World Cup champions are taking a breather, they are all set to return to action in their homeland starting with a three-match Test series against Pakistan commencing December 14. Captain Pat Cummins has indicated that the all-format bowlers will be persistently in play during the Test matches, provided they are not besieged by fitness issues. This stalwart bowling lineup includes Cummins himself, alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, constituting Australia’s formidable three-pronged seam attack.
Cummins candidly reflected on the condition of a professional bowler when addressing his perspective on rest and rotation. “You are always dealing with something as a bowler. When your hamstring starts to feel then you feel a pain somewhere else, then you wake up the next day and it’s moved somewhere else. Realistically the word rest and rotated gets thrown around a lot but you never miss a Test if you are fully fit. While over the last couple of years, we might have been rested from the odd game, the bulk of work we’ve been able to do is because of those small gaps. If we are fully fit we won’t be resting,” conveyed Cummins, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
The Australian Test team has a packed schedule ahead with seven Test matches extending from mid-December till March 2024. This includes three matches against Pakistan, two at home against the West Indies, and two away against New Zealand. As preparation kicks into high gear, Starc and Hazlewood have resumed net sessions with the red ball in anticipation of the upcoming series against Pakistan
Starc relayed his approach to gearing up for the Test season. “It took a little bit to put the bowling shoes on for Joshy and I out the back here, but in a couple of weeks’ time we are in Perth. As much as you want to enjoy the success of the World Cup and everything that comes with a hard tour of India, you quickly get into Test mode,” he stated.
Starc further emphasized the mental and physical readiness required for the transition from one format to another. “Mentally you take a few days and refresh but the mind and body know what time of the year it is and it’s time for five Tests. We’ve done it for a few summers now so nothing new for us. Preparation looks different every year but for Pat and I it’s a few sessions of bowling and maybe a few rounds of golf then off to Perth,” he added.
As the Test season looms, cricket enthusiasts around the world can expect the Australian pace battery to once again showcase their skills tirelessly. There will be a sharp pivot from the short-burst energy of T20Is to the endurance and strategy of Test cricket. Under Cummins’ leadership and with the proficiency of Starc and Hazlewood, Australia’s fast bowlers are poised to reaffirm their dominance in the longer format, and there’s no sign of a slowdown on the horizon for these speed merchants.
The upcoming months promise a delight for cricket lovers, as the season not only pits stellar teams against each other but also provides the stage for the finest in fast bowling to shine. Despite the rigours of back-to-back matches and the toll they take on the body, the Australian quicks are indicating that they are ready for the challenge, embracing the workload with the same fervour that led them to their recent World Cup success.