Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said Australia’s batting downfall is a concern for the team. Pat Cummins’ team was bundled out for 212 runs in the first innings of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s.
At the end of the second day’s play, Australia were 144-8 in their second innings. The renowned commentator highlighted that Usman Khawaja’s form is concerning for the team. The left-hander was consistently troubled by Jasprit Bumrah during the Border-Gavaskar series.
Furthermore, the southpaw was dismissed for a 20-ball duck in the first innings against the Proteas, whereas he could only manage six runs in the second essay.
“The downfall of Australia’s batting is also a cause for concern. You have reached the final and are also the defending champions, but I feel the batting downfall is also happening alongside that. Changes will happen there too, and we might see it in the upcoming WTC cycle,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Usman Khawaja hasn’t scored runs. He had totally surrendered against Bumrah. He got dismissed in identical fashion in this match. You got Marnus Labuschagne to open because, since Warner has retired, no one apart from Khawaja has scored a hundred,” he added.
Chopra highlighted that all-rounder Cameron Green isn’t an ideal number three batter in Test format. Green was caught behind after scoring 4 and 0 in both innings as playing with hard hands led to his downfall.
“You are trying different, different openers. Sometimes Sam Konstas and sometimes Marnus Labuschagne. Doesn’t look a part in that sense. You are making Cameron Green bat up the order. He is not a No. 3 batter, especially in conditions where the ball is moving,” he noted.
The renowned commentator believes Beau Webster will struggle whenever the ball would either swing or turn.
“Beau Webster has scored runs, he scored 72 runs in the first innings, but when you see him playing, he doesn’t seem like an established Test batter. He will get stuck wherever the ball swings or turns a little,” he said in the same video.
At the end of the second day’s play, Australia currently lead by 218 against South Africa.
