Ishant Sharma’s absence from the test series will be a “big loss” for India, the Australian batsman said.
Steven Smith has said that Ishant Sharma’s absence from the test series in Australia will be a “big loss” for India, but also admitted that David Warner missing at least the opening game in Adelaide will challenge the depth of the home team.
There could be a vulnerability at the top of the Australian order for Indian bowlers to explode with Warner out of Adelaide due to his groin injury, Joe Burns struggling to get fit, and uncertainty over who will be the starting pair after Will Pucovski suffered a concussion from a Helmet Punch against the Indians in the first game of the tour.
One of the most unlikely routes Australia could take to close the gap would be to promote the opening of Marcus Labuschagne, which could also create a route for the off-roader in Cameron Green form in the middle order, and Smith supported Labuschagne to fill the position. if necessary. .
“I think our depth is obviously going to be tested with Davey out and some potentially new players coming in,” Smith said. “It will definitely test us against a good Indian team. We know how good they are at test cricket. They beat us here last time and they are a very good team.”
“When he’s hitting No. 3, sometimes he’s on the second ball of the game, that’s the reality of hitting there, so someone with three could definitely come up to the top.”
Ishant, who took 11 wickets at 23.81 on the previous tour to Australia, was ruled out of the series late last month following an abdominal injury suffered at the IPL. Although he has recovered, the problem was preparing him for the demands of test cricket and also the difficulties posed by the need for two weeks of quarantine upon arrival in Australia.
“It was tough sitting on the sidelines and not being able to come out and make a difference, that was the hardest thing for me knowing that I could probably make a difference if I was there.”Smith on missing India series in 2018-19
India will still be able to line up Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, who were central figures in their 2018-19 series win, and Umesh Yadav is shaping up to be the likely third fastest after a strong outing against Australia A at Drummoyne Oval. Bumrah and Shami will play their first first-class cricket game since the beginning of March in the day-night warm-up match against Australia A starting Friday.
When asked if this could be considered the strongest attack in India, Smith noted Ishant’s absence. “Now they have experience, especially Shami and Bumrah,” he said. “Ishant Sharma is probably a big loss for them … he’s played a lot of cricket now and he’s a good pitcher. Without him he might not be the strongest because I’m sure they would like him to play, for sure.
“Shami has played a lot of cricket, Bumrah has played a reasonable amount of cricket and is a quality bowler. Whichever spinner they use (Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep), we’ll wait and see, but everyone has played a little bit of cricket. Now. They are all good bowlers and we will have to do our best if we want to beat them. “
Smith was not part of the 2018-19 series as he served his ban for the Newlands ball handling episode and this series will be the first time he has faced Bumrah in long form cricket. In international white ball matches, he has faced Bumrah 14 times, and has only been sent off by him, and in the IPL they have faced each other 10 times with Bumrah taking out Smith three times.
“His skills won’t change too much,” Smith said. “We know how he bowls, he has good pace, he has that awkward action, very different from a lot of people, so you have to be very vigilant all the time and he is a quality bowler, I am excited to come. this series. You like to face the best and certainly he is up to them. “
Smith admitted that he found it difficult to follow the series two summers ago when he served his time out of the game. “I looked at bits and pieces. It was hard sitting on the sidelines and not being able to come out and make a difference, that was the hardest for me knowing that I could probably make a difference if I were there. That was difficult, but an exciting series is coming.” .
Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor of ESPNcricinfo
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