Workload worries
Concerns as Aussie quicks burdened by rising overs
YET again, Australia’s overworked bowlers are hurting because of their teammates’ shortcomings with the bat.
Rather than enforce the follow-on, India skipper Virat Kohli presumably had one eye on the fourth Test as he invited Australia to bowl again on day three of third Test.
A three-day break between clashes at the MCG and SCG, presuming the Boxing Day contest runs until a fifth day, always loomed as a worry for medicos.
It is has now become a major concern for Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
A large chunk of workload management focuses on reducing the risk of injury by, wherever possible, avoiding workload spikes and ensuring a decent break between bowling stints.
Both red flags are likely to be raised in Melbourne.
Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins delivered a total of 93.4 overs in India’s first innings of the third Test, having combined for a total of 108 overs across the entire second Test.
Collapses of 3-29 and 3-13 from the top six meant Australia’s first innings lasted just 66.5 overs, giving the quicks limited time to put their feet up.
Unless captain Tim Paine shields Australia’s gun fast bowlers today, they are set to be
steaming in for a fourth consecutive day.
“Only having 50 overs off and heading straight back out, that’s when it is really tough,” Hazlewood admitted earlier this year.
“During the Ashes in the previous summer we had some good breaks, we made 600 a couple of times and had some other really good rest periods.
“That really showed when we got back out there. You need that as a bowling unit, to deliver your best stuff.
“If you only have a session or a session and a half off between innings, that makes it really hard and you have to dig deep.”
Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins are likely to skip at least part of the upcoming ODI series.
Coach Justin Langer will be desperate to have the stars on the park but also acutely aware they must be carefully managed.
Any injury could have major ramifications for Australia’s World Cup and Ashes defence next year in England.
“The more we can look after those guys, the better,” Langer said before the third Test.