THE ASHES Fourth Test, 11.30pm Christmas Day, Melbourne CUMMINS READY OR NOT
Paceman vows blitz on England tailend CRANE FLIES IN ON RESCUE MISSION
AUSSIE tearaway quick Pat Cummins has promised England’s tail more bouncer warfare in the remaining Ashes Tests despite safety concerns.
The issue of ‘ bodyline’ scare tactics has been raised by both English and Australian pundits who are concerned that not enough is being done by umpires to protect the fragile tailenders.
But Cummins all-but laughed off claims that England’s tail were not in a position to protect themselves from the high- pace barrage of short-pitched bowling.
Instead he pointed to the run-making exploits of the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad as examples of how they can more than just hold a bat.
“No I don’t see that they can’t protect themselves,” said Cummins. “They are all pretty competent batters. Stuey Broad has got a Test match hundred and Jimmy Anderson has got an 80 odd.
“I don’t see any validity in the arguments raised at all. Plan A is always ‘how can we get them out?’ and at the moment for a few of their guys we think this is the best chance of getting them out for the least amount of runs.
“Until that changes then our plans will stay pretty solid.
“Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood and I all know we are going to cop it as well so we spend a lot of time in the nets working on it with the coaches and talking to other players about how best to defend it.
“I think I’ve copped about 50 short ones this series so we get back as much as we dish out.”
The plan has certainly worked up to now with Aust ralia already retaining the urn but whatever happened to the ‘Fast Bowlers’ Union?’
The game has long had tales of the unwritten agreement between fast bowlers not to knock each other’s block off for fear of reprisals, but not anymore according to Cummins.
“I don’t know about the fast bowlers’ union, that is for the nets,” he added. “But once you get out to the middle the gloves are off and there are no alliances and I don’t think that has changed, we’re all too competitive for that. You’re MASON CRANE will keep a cool head in the white-hot atmosphere of the Boxing Day Test.
That is the view of Trent Johnston, the New South Wales coach, who handed Crane a history-making cap for the state last winter.
The 20-year-old leg-spinner made the rest of Australia sit up and take notice when he became the first overseas player since always really concerned when someone gets hit in the head, but once you find out they are OK then fine, and it is a part of cricket. Hopefully it will always stay a part of cricket.
“It is one of the thrills of bowling fast, trying to unsettle the batsman on a pitch that might not have any sideways movement or swing and I hope that stays in our game.”
Bruised
I thinkhik I’ve copped about 50 short ones this series so we get back as much as we dish out
Imran Khan, in 1984/85, to play for the Blues. And now he is likely to make headlines again, this time as the youngest English leggie in Ashes history.
There hasn’t been a matchwinning performance by an England leg-spinner in a Test Down Under since Bernard Bosanquet bamboozled the Aussies back in 1903/04.
But Johnston believes the Sussex kid can cause Steve Smith’s side the kind of headache they have not suffered so far in a dismally one-sided series.
“Going into the series and knowing that the series has gone, I think the pressure will be off him,” he said.
“Having someone who can turn the ball the other way to Moeen Ali would be a big advantage.
“He won’t be fazed. Yes, he’ll be nervous, but, as soon as he gets those first few overs in, then he’ll be fine. He’s a big turner of the ball with a good repertoire.
“The Aussies will look to attack him, but that might give him opportunities because the batsmen will be taking a few risks.”
So, with a whitewash in the offing, does Johnston wish Crane well?
“From one Blue to another Blue, I hope he goes semi-okay,” he chuckled.