Depending on where you’re from the Australian cricketing summer went one of two ways. If you’re an Aussie, you’ve enjoyed one of the most dominant summers in recent memory.
If you’re a Kiwi, it’s the end to a series that began with so much hope and confidence and ended with a third successive 200 plus run defeat.
The third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) seemed like a repeat of the first two; Australia posting a big first innings score, New Zealand skittled for less than half of that in return and the test match close to over within three days.
In the end, Australia ran away with a 279-run win on day four, thanks in large part to 215 runs from Marnus Labuschagne in the first innings and back-to-back five-wicket hauls to Nathan Lyon.
For Australia, it completes their first whitewash of a test series since their 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka in January and February of 2019.
For New Zealand, it sends them home with players out of form and the daunting task of facing India, the number one test team in the world, just around the corner.
While the third test was seemingly over as soon as it began, it still provides supporters and commentators with some interesting thoughts heading into 2020.
For Australia, it seems that the batting line-up that has provided so many issues in terms of balance, needing or not needing an all-rounder and different opening partners, has finally settled.
Starting at the top, some experts are calling for Joe Burns to make way, but they must persist with him. While he was unable to go on to make big scores and struggled in the first innings in each test match, he showed enough with scores of 53, 35 and 40 to follow in the second innings.
After years of trial and error with opening partners for David Warner, it’s time to create some stability and backing Burns in does that. Not only does it create confidence in Burns, but it builds some strength and continuity in his relationship with Warner, which the latter hasn’t had since his days with Chris Rogers.
Into the middle order, the argument that Australia needs an all-rounder is dead … for now. Matthew Wade and Travis Head have shown their capability to score runs when the team really needs it, highlighted by Head’s impressive 114 in the second test.
When you couple this with one of the top bowling attacks in the world, led by number one test bowler Pat Cummins, a designated all-rounder isn’t required, specifically if Labuschagne can continue to bowl quality overs when called upon.
New Zealand head home with some headaches to take care of before India arrives in February. The issue of a top-quality spin bowler is priority number one. Mitchell Santner was disappointing, taking one wicket in the first two test matches before being dropped for the third.
William Somerville and Todd Astle were able to take three wickets between them in the first innings at the SCG but leaked 99 and 111 runs respectively off 29 and 32 overs each. The fast bowling team will respond against India on some more swing friendly wickets, but the spin conundrum is creating issues for the Kiwis.
Up the order, the New Zealand batsmen, led by Kane Williamson, need to respond with the bat against India. One century to Tom Blundell in the second test is not good enough for a team littered with talent in their top order.
In saying that, batting on Australian wickets and facing Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon every over is hard. Really hard. So, being back home and comfortable on wickets they know well will help and they will respond against India. So, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Black Caps.
Catch Ollie’s thoughts alongside Matt & Liam on their podcast – On The Pine
