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Indian Express
7 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
It didn't even look like cricket: Australia coach Andrew McDonald on playing Pink ball Test with Dukes ball
Despite wrapping up the Test series against West Indies with a 3-0 margin, Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has said it is difficult to draw long-term conclusions on the team's batting performances. In a series where the bowlers dominated the proceedings with neither of the sides even posting a total of 300 in three Tests, the final one played at Sabina Park under lights with the Pink Ball saw the hosts being bowled for 27. With the conditions being bowler-friendly across conditions, McDonald who said the final Test 'didn't even look like cricket, questioned the future of Pink Ball Tests with Dukes ball. 'It's really difficult to make accurate judgments on both batting units based upon the surfaces that we played on,' McDonald told SEN Radio. 'And you take that into the third Test, which is a pink-ball Dukes on that surface, that game just moved way too fast and at times, it didn't even look like cricket. That cricket was borderline impossible to play at certain stages. Some of those deliveries from Mitchell Starc, the way that ball behaved under lights. So it's a bigger question for what the pink Dukes looks like for Test match cricket, really,' he said. The Caribbean tour was supposed to provide Australia some answers ahead of the Ashes that they are scheduled to host later this year. And McDonald said the tour has left with more questions. 'It feels as though we'll still be a little bit unsettled in terms of what our combinations look like at the top of the order with the way that the performances have gone here. In saying that, there's a lot of cricket still to come to be able to gather that information,' he said. While opener Sam Konstas' batting undoubtedly came under scrutiny, McDonald believed Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped for the series, could soon come back into the fold. With the opening slot continuing to give trouble, Labuschagne could take up the spot if Cameron Green continues to bat at No 3. If not, Australia may end up slotting Labuschagne at one down with Green pushed down the middle-order. 'I think towards the end there [before being left out], and Marnus won't mind me saying this, that there was a little bit of going backward and forward on plans and at certain stages he wasn't clear. He's got great clarity leaving here, which is a successful tour, albeit he hasn't played a game…and look forward to what he does coming into the early Shield rounds and then putting his hand up for selection for Perth. But he's a quality player. He averages 46 in Test match cricket. We feel as though this wasn't going to be a huge gap before he does return because of the quality, but the start of the Shield season will really shape that,' he said.
India Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Australia coach McDonald backs opener Sam Konstas after tough West Indies tour
Teenage opener Sam Konstas was thrust into the spotlight during Australia's Test series in the West Indies, and despite his struggles, head coach Andrew McDonald has come to his defence. The series proved challenging for the entire Australian batting unit, with unpredictable pitches and the pink Dukes ball making conditions extremely on The New Ball on SEN Radio, McDonald said it was "really difficult to make accurate judgments" about batting performances, particularly after the third Test at Sabina Park, which he felt "didn't even look like cricket" at final Test, played under lights with the pink Dukes ball, ended in dramatic fashion, heavily favouring the bowlers. "That cricket was borderline impossible to play at certain stages, some of those deliveries from Mitchell Starc, the way that ball behaved under lights it's a bigger question for what the pink Dukes looks like for Test match cricket, really," McDonald said. Despite those conditions, McDonald admitted the series had raised more questions than answers-especially regarding the top-order-just months out from the home Ashes beginning in replacing Marnus Labuschagne at the top, endured a tough debut, averaging just 8.33 across the series. He also struggled in the field, dropping catches and misfielding during West Indies' dramatic collapse for 27 in the final some have questioned whether the experience may have done more harm than good, McDonald firmly backed the 19-year-old. "I don't think anyone's damaged by being exposed to Test cricket. It gives you a taste of what that level is like and he's clear on what he needs to work on."McDonald added that Konstas' natural aggression and technique are still developing, and that the conditions in the Caribbean made his debut particularly difficult. "When you've got up-and-down seaming wickets, it can force you into those corners a lot quicker than surfaces that are batter-friendly."As for Labuschagne, who missed selection for the first time since 2019, McDonald expressed confidence he wouldn't be out of the side for long. "He averages 46 in Test match cricket. We feel as though this wasn't going to be a huge gap before he does return because of the quality."Labuschagne could potentially return as an opener, especially if Cameron Green retains the number three spot following his strong performance in the series. McDonald clarified that Labuschagne doesn't need to open for Queensland to be considered for the same role at Test level."Marnus has got great clarity leaving this tour, which is a success in itself. We look forward to what he does in the early Shield rounds," McDonald ahead, McDonald confirmed that Mitchell Starc will join captain Pat Cummins in sitting out the upcoming white-ball series in the Northern Territory against South Africa in the Ashes on the horizon and a full domestic season ahead, McDonald believes the next few months will be crucial in finalising Australia's best top-order combination.- Ends
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Labuschagne will get back, good as anyone in world': Steve Smith backs out-of-favour batsman
It's been speculated in the Australian press and murmured by the former Australian players that Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped for the first Test against West Indies, might not make it for the Ashes series owing to poor form, but Steve Smith has thrown his weight behind the out-of-favour middle-order batsman. 'At his best, he's as good as anyone in the world and I've no doubt he'll get back there. He's actually in a pretty good place. I think I said it after the last game – I thought he batted really well in the World Test Championship Final without going on to make a big score,' Smith told SEN Radio. 'I thought his movements, the positions he was getting himself into and the way he was in particular clipping the ball through mid-wicket (was great). I think when he's doing that from an off-stump line, I feel like that's when he's in a good place, his balance is good, and his movements are pretty good. So yeah, I thought he was batting well.' When Labuschagne was dropped for the first Test, Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey had said in a statement: 'Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects. We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.' Smith reckoned that Labuschagne is as 'good as anyone in world'. 'Labuschagne's obviously not played the last Test match, and he's got an opportunity to work on a few things that he probably wants to work on without the pressures of playing in the game as well.' Sam Konstas replaced Labuschagne as the opener, and Cameron Green had played as No.3 in the first Test against West Indies. Neither scored much, and Smith has asked for more patience. . 'I think for them it's just about being patient,' Smith said. 'Cam's done it before in Test cricket, he scored runs, so he's not foreign to that. Maybe batting at number three but I've always said it, even when I went up to open the batting, it's just a number. Sometimes you feel more comfortable in a certain position, but it's also just a number. You can come in at any time when the ball's new or whatever when you lose a few early wickets. 'I think we've just got to be patient with them, they're talented players, they've got good skills and I'm sure they'll come good.'
NDTV
30-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Steve Smith Hits Back At Australia Great After Backlash On Batting Form: "Figure It Out..."
Australia's talismanic batter Steve Smith has come out in defence of batting coach Michael Di Venuto following backlash from former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who claimed the Baggy Greens top-order has "regressed" in recent years during his "friend's" reign. Smith linked up with the Australian team ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada after missing out on the series opener due to a compound dislocation to his small finger he sustained in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. In the opening Test, Kensington Oval's strip, which played all sorts of tricks on the batters, Australia missed Smith's presence in the middle order. The WTC 2025 finalists were dwindling at 22/3 in the first innings and 65/4 in the second. "Australian cricket's batting head coach and every state batting coach [should be under pressure] because there's not enough runs being scored around the nation," Healy said on SEN Radio, as quoted from the Sydney Morning Herald. "Michael Di Venuto - a friend of mine who is a good coach and a good man - has held the job since mid-2021. In this time, our national team batting has regressed in performance at Test level. That's all that's important to me, the performance. I don't care how you do it or what will make it easier for you - just get it done," he added. Smith refuted Healy's remark about Di Venuto and feels the batting coach has done a "wonderful" job since taking over the position in 2021. For Smith it isn't Di Venuto who goes out on the field to bat, it is up to the players to deliver on the pitch. "Any criticism of 'Diva', [I am] completely against it. He works as hard as anyone. He knows batting inside out. He's seen cricket all around the world. He's done a wonderful job for a long time now, and the boys are really enjoying working with him," Smith said, as quoted from the Sydney Morning Herald. "He's not the one out there actually doing the batting. Guys have to be able to figure it out themselves in the middle, and sometimes you can't have someone holding your hand out there," he added. After cruising to an emphatic 159-run triumph with consummate ease in the opening Test to go 1-0 ahead, Australia will look to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series with the second contest set to kick off on Thursday.
India Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Usman Khawaja snubs broadcasters after firing of pro-Palestine reporter: Reports
Australian opener Usman Khawaja made headlines off the field on Wednesday as he refused a routine post-day interview with SEN Radio following Day 1 of the Barbados Test against West Indies — a silent yet strong statement in response to the network's earlier dismissal of cricket journalist Peter who top-scored for Australia with a gritty 47 on a challenging day at Kensington Oval, was asked by team media manager Cole Hitchcock to speak with SEN commentators Bharat Sundaresan and Adam Collins. The interview, standard practice for standout performers after each day's play, was to be pre-recorded near the boundary moments before the interview could begin, Khawaja noticed the SEN logo on the microphone. Without a word, he raised his hand to decline and walked away, leaving the commentators and viewers watching the feed slightly surprised. Sources close to the team confirmed that Khawaja's refusal stemmed from SEN's controversial sacking of Peter Lalor earlier this year. The veteran cricket writer had been pulled from the broadcaster's coverage midway through Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in February, shortly after sharing posts on social media that expressed solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in social media activity included reposts about Israeli airstrikes and the release of Palestinian prisoners — content that reportedly led SEN to part ways with him. The decision sparked criticism within journalism and cricket circles, especially amongst those advocating for press freedom and human who has publicly supported Palestinian civilians and spoken against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has previously faced restrictions from cricket's governing bodies. Late last year, the ICC barred him from wearing peace messages on his playing gear, citing their political nature — a ruling Khawaja respectfully disagreed is the first time Khawaja has come face-to-face with SEN's broadcast team since Lalor's dismissal, and his quiet refusal spoke volumes.- Ends
