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Australia has the most overrated test bowling attack; primarily (Starc-Hazlewood-Cummins-Lyon) for the last few years THREAD:
First of all, what evidence based on history that we have one of the best bowling attacks going around which has been perpetuated and reputed?
First of all, what evidence based on history that we have one of the best bowling attacks going around which has been perpetuated and reputed?
Let's look at every Australia test series since the bowling attack first originated which was Ashes 2017:
- Ashes 2017
- South Africa 2018
- Pakistan UAE 2018
- India 2018
- Sri Lanka 2019
- Ashes 2019
- Pakistan 2019
- NZ 2019
- India 2019
- Ashes 2017
- South Africa 2018
- Pakistan UAE 2018
- India 2018
- Sri Lanka 2019
- Ashes 2019
- Pakistan 2019
- NZ 2019
- India 2019
From a sample size, longevity and history criteria, this bowling attack should be penalized because Cummins, Hazlewood was injured for Pakistan UAE 2018. Hazlewood was injured for Sri Lanka 2018, NZ 2019 and Starc-Hazlewood-Cummins wasn't even the primary attack for Ashes 2019
From those tests, outside of Pakistan UAE 2018 and possibly Oval Ashes 2019 test, the Australia test bowler that was missing between either Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, their replacement; James Pattinson, Jhye Richardson did well in those tests so it wasn't a big loss at all
A simple criteria for me to rate a bowling attack is how they perform overseas rather than just simply be home bullies. Unfortunately, this bowling attack gets penalized by default as well because AUSTRALIA HASN'T WON AN OVERSEAS TEST SERIES SINCE NEW ZEALAND EARLY 2016.
These are the test series in which they have primarily featured in:
Ashes 2017, South Africa 2018, India 2018, Pakistan 2019, India 2020.
Australia's attack got outbowled by the opposition and the team lost in South Africa 2018 (also cheated), India 2018 & 2020. Best attack huh
Ashes 2017, South Africa 2018, India 2018, Pakistan 2019, India 2020.
Australia's attack got outbowled by the opposition and the team lost in South Africa 2018 (also cheated), India 2018 & 2020. Best attack huh
So literally the ONLY 2 series that this bowling attack deserves credit for is the Ashes 2017 and Pakistan 2019 aat home. That's not impressive at all given the quality of bowling opposition in Australian conditions. Nothing needs to be said about Pakistan 2019, they were BAD.
As for Ashes 2017, for the first few tests, our bowling attack wasn't much better than England's attack tbh. England were close to matching our Australia bowlers but was saved by Smith’s brilliance. We were in trouble many times during the first 2 tests like 1st innings Gabba.
Cummins in 2017 Ashes was good but still a bit raw which is expected since this was early in his career. He constantly beat the bat but was bowling a bit too short and needed to pitch the ball up more. Overall, this wasn't prime Cummins yet.
Hazlewood in Ashes 2017 wasn't as good form/level wise compared to 2016 home-India 2017. His peak rating was after 2nd test India 2017. Ashes 2017 was the first time he bowled with more pace but ended up sacrificing accuracy/control and was more inconsistent that series.
Starc in Ashes 2017 was also a step-down from their 2016 form and level-wise. 2016 Starc seemed like he was becoming a consistent test bowler upon his return from his amazing SL 2016 series. But in Ashes 2017, Starc became inconsistent and wayward; the starc we know today
For statistical proof, Starc reached his peak rating of 805 in the Pakistan 2016 series. It wasn't until NZ 2019 where he barely reached his new peak of 806.
So overall, our Ashes 2017 bowling attack comprised of Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins not in their primes.
So overall, our Ashes 2017 bowling attack comprised of Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins not in their primes.
The main reason our Ashes 2017 bowling attack did so well wasn't even from our pace bowlers, it was Nathan Lyon. 2017 was Lyon's peak year and Ashes 2017 the best he bowled. Bowled well in India, Bangladesh and the Ashes. Was great against left handers to Cook and Moeen Ali.
The ONLY reason this bowling attack is rated so highly is mainly because Cummins carries it. That's a testament to how good he is. But ONE bowler doesn't make a bowling attack. And it wasn't until Ashes 2019 onwards that Hazlewood joined the party as a reliable duo as well.
Which leads to the main reason why this bowling attack is overrated and is NOT the best. Starc. He weakens our bowling attack and is a liability.
Starc is a Home Track D/N Pink Ball Minnow Bashing Bully. He statpads against tail-enders and too inconsistent with the new ball
Starc is a Home Track D/N Pink Ball Minnow Bashing Bully. He statpads against tail-enders and too inconsistent with the new ball
You rarely see him take wickets against the middle order outside with the new ball especially against set batsman where we need to break a partnership. He otherwise just leaks runs in most periods of play.
