Australia's Pace-Bowling Depth Faces a Tough Test

Stocks under strain 

Australia's renowned depth in pace bowling is under scrutiny, as the ongoing limited-overs tour in the UK has seen several key players sidelined. With a growing list of injuries and absentees, the team’s resilience is being put to the test.

The latest casualty is Xavier Bartlett, who suffered a side strain in the first T20I against England, ruling him out. Nathan Ellis had already withdrawn during the Scotland leg after aggravating a previous injury sustained in the Hundred. Spencer Johnson, dealing with a side issue, was ruled out even before the tour began. Meanwhile, Riley Meredith didn’t feature after the first T20I in Scotland, also due to a side strain.

Key Players for Upcoming Series

Josh Hazlewood, part of Australia's elite pace trio, arrived late on tour due to a minor calf strain but delivered an impressive performance in Southampton before being rested in Cardiff. As one of Australia’s key players for the upcoming five-Test series against India, Hazlewood's fitness is crucial. The team management is particularly focused on ensuring Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc remain fit and ready for that series, with coach Andrew McDonald emphasizing the importance of careful player management.

McDonald recently remarked that a lot of their planning revolves around getting the big three pacers in top form for the Tests against India. He noted that the players’ involvement in domestic cricket, particularly the Sheffield Shield, will be closely monitored to ensure they are fully prepared for the first Test match.

While the injured bowlers in England are not immediate Test candidates, concerns persist over the backup options. Lance Morris, who has struggled with back problems, is set for a gradual return to the Sheffield Shield, while his teammate Jhye Richardson remains a long-term project in red-ball cricket.

Scott Boland and Michael Neser have also dealt with pre-season injuries, although they are expected to participate in the early stages of the Sheffield Shield. Sean Abbott, who impressed in Cardiff with his sharp bowling, might become part of future Test plans depending on how other bowlers progress.

Starc is part of the ODI squad in England but will be closely managed, while Cummins has opted to remain in Australia to focus on strength and conditioning. It's unlikely that Hazlewood will play all the matches in the series, especially given the tight schedule of games over just 11 days.

Cummins explained his decision to miss the tour by highlighting the need for rest, adding that this was a rare opportunity to give his body a break and prepare for the demanding five-Test series against India. He acknowledged that there are few breaks in the cricket calendar, and players sometimes need to create their own.

Australia is not alone in its cautious approach to managing fast bowlers. India is similarly protective of Jasprit Bumrah, while Mohammed Shami's recovery from an ankle injury is being carefully monitored. England, too, faces challenges, as Mark Wood's recent elbow injury has ruled him out of the tours to Pakistan and New Zealand, with a focus on ensuring his readiness for the 2025-26 Ashes.

Backup options

Australia’s current injury list serves as both a testament to the durability of players like Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, and a reminder that even the best-laid plans can quickly come undone. Last season, aided by a lack of five-day Tests, these three played consistently against Pakistan, West Indies, and New Zealand, while also featuring in the ODI World Cup—except for Starc, who was rested for one game.

Cummins has only missed one Test due to injury since 2018, with other absences attributed to COVID-19 and compassionate leave. Starc, despite missing several Tests due to a finger injury, has proven remarkably resilient, often bowling through discomfort. Hazlewood, after a difficult period between 2021 and 2023 where he played only three Tests, has managed to stay fit, apart from being rested at Headingley in the last Ashes series.

However, Cummins has hinted that things might be different against India, highlighting the importance of allrounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh. Marsh, who hasn’t bowled since the IPL, could play a significant role in balancing the workload of the fast bowlers.

Even Scott Boland, who boasts a remarkable home Test average of 12.21, had expected more opportunities last season but found himself sidelined by the consistent performances of the big three. He shared his frustrations, recalling how the coaches and selectors had suggested that an opportunity would arise, yet it never came due to the resilience of the core bowling attack.

For now, the injuries affecting the current England tour caused more of an inconvenience than a crisis. The selectors are managing the situation by filling gaps where needed, but the true test of Australia’s much-talked-about bowling depth may come during the summer series against India, a defining moment that could challenge even their most well-prepared plans.