Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has opened up about the Australian cricket team’s struggles as he highlighted the lack of energy and aggression in their top-order batting. Shastri has pointed out that the Australian cricket team is badly missing David Warner’s aggressive playing style and leadership at the top, and the current opening batters have yet to fill that void.
The swift removal of Nathan McSweeney from the Test squad after just three Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India has sparked strong reactions among the Australian cricket fraternity and fans. McSweeney was given the tough job of opening the batting for the first time in his red-ball career and he failed to make an impact against India.
Ravi Shastri says Australian Cricket Team is feeling the absence of David Warner
Nathan McSweeney struggled against India’s high-quality bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, scoring only one score above 10 in his six innings, finishing with a disappointing average of 14.4. On the other hand, Steve Smith has been inconsistent, averaging just 24.8 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India at home.
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Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja have been also completely out of form, with both averaging under 17 and only one half-century between them. Only Travis Head has been in stellar form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and that is a big concern for the Kangaroos.
Ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Shastri said that Australia misses the attacking presence of David Warner, who had a significant impact on opposing teams during his decade-long career. He highlighted that India was able to bowl freely because no one was taking the attack on them.
Australian team misses David Warner in a big way: Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying by Fox Cricket: “It was coming; someone had to go from the top order because there were no punches coming from anywhere. India was allowed to bowl at them. They need someone who will take to the attack, and that’s where Australia misses David Warner in a big way. This is where Australia will realize the impact Warner had on oppositions in the decade he played.”
The former Indian head coach also expressed his sympathy for Nathan McSweeney. The commentator acknowledged McSweeney’s performance in Adelaide but pointed out that he is not suited for the opening role. Shastri suggested that when Australia visits Sri Lanka, McSweeney should be placed in the middle order, where he can develop his career.
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Shastri said, “McSweeney again. You feel sorry for him because he played really well in Adelaide, but he’s not an opening batsman. I think when Australia goes to Sri Lanka very soon, he should be right back into the side. Let him build his career in the middle order.”
Struggling Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne under immense pressure to deliver: Ravi Shastri
The former Indian captain mentioned that Nathan McSweeney faced early removal, but he is young and still has time to bounce back and get another opportunity in the future. But that’s not the case with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, who are now under immense pressure to score runs.
Shastri signed off by saying, “There would be pressure; there’s immense pressure on Khawaja and Marnus as well to get the runs. He would have been the fall guy, McSweeney. But he’s young, and he has time on his hands, and they will give him an opportunity in time to come again.”
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