Introspection due as Australia have hazy path ahead of them starting with the upcoming tour of West Indies.
Introspection due as Australia leave Lord’s less clear of a path forward.
Australia typically wins the ICC finals. They have only lost once in ten finals since 1996, when Sri Lanka spectacularly defeated them in yet another historic outcome—the 2010 T20 World Cup match against England in Barbados. Therefore, when the team travels to the West Indies for the following cycle, the loss in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s is likely to trigger the first steps of rebuilding the team.
Australia was the favourite going into the final against South Africa, though maybe not by as much as some people thought. They also lost from a strong position, leading by 102 runs on the second day with 10 wickets remaining, before losing 7 for 45 as the clouds moved in. On Friday, the third day of the Test, Australia did not deserve to bat more under the sun.
Australia did not require a total overhaul because they played some outstanding cricket to advance to the WTC final, winning in many close games during the two years. Although a national investigation is not necessary, some reflection is necessary.
Prior to the game, the top three were the subject of the most intense speculation. Australia leaves Lord’s with perhaps less clarity on the way forward than before, even if the selectors were clear that this was being handled as a one-time event and that decisions taken here did not need to relate to future events.
Even though it’s still unclear how strong England’s bowling attack will be when they visit Australia later this year, coach Andrew McDonald has already admitted that the hosts will require a reliable opening duo by then. The June 25 start date of the West Indies tour may now prove to be a sticking point.
Sam Konstas, who hasn’t played since his opening two Test matches against India, is the obvious choice with an eye towards the future. To wonder how he might have performed at Lord’s is purely speculative. However, even prior to Steven Smith’s horribly dislocated finger, it was hard to imagine how he would be denied a chance in Barbados.
It is doubtful that the transformation will be substantial or very young beyond Konstas. The reserve quicks are Scott Boland, 36, and Brendan Doggett, 31, but they will be crucial if the selectors determine that greater rotation of the big three quicks is necessary to keep them fit. Inglis, if given the chance, is 30. However, the team may undergo a more substantial reorganisation for the upcoming WTC cycle.
Australia’s build-up, in which they chose to use center-wicket and nets, may also be questioned. At Lord’s, there was no discernible correlation between the players’ preparation and performance: Usman Khawaja, who hadn’t played since March, struggled, Cameron Green hammered out runs for Gloucestershire but failed twice, and Smith, who hadn’t batted for three months, made 66 in challenging conditions in the first innings.
Even while the bowling attack is still excellent, it wasn’t sufficient this time. They were outstanding on the fourth morning, but it would have taken something remarkable for Cummins to continue his winning streak in the ICC finals when South Africa started the final day needing an additional 69 runs to win.
Everything is starting over now, and the past four days at Lord’s have made it an exciting time for Australia’s Test team.