Former Australian cricketer Ian Healy has advised national selectors not to risk captain Pat Cummins , who is recovering from a stress fracture in his spine, for the upcoming Ashes series against England starting November 21. The potential absence of Cummins has highlighted Australia's limited depth in experienced fast bowling replacements.
The long-term dominance of Cummins, Mitchell Starc , and Josh Hazlewood , along with Scott Boland since 2021, has created a significant experience gap among emerging fast bowlers in Australian cricket .
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"He will be a huge miss but do not risk Pat Cummins at all. He's a composed and absolutely consistent performer. He is our go-to when we need it and he gets the job done. He's tolerant, calm and an empowering leader. Scott Boland is going to be into the attack – he will be first in line but if we get an injury who else do we have?" Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.
Healy expressed confidence in the existing bowling lineup's ability to perform without Cummins. " Michael Neser is in the conversation for any Test. I would like him to get a game. Then there's the engaged teammate. He shares a beer, has a wine, great mates within the team. Starc, wicket-taker, (Nathan) Lyon real container, and Hazlewood never let off. They can get the job done without Cummins."
The 35-year-old Neser leads the list of potential replacements, followed by several emerging talents.
"Neser - if he's the best candidate we've got in the ranks, let's get him in. He's the number one. Then number two is a fellow called Fergus O'Neill, 38 wickets last year, in the Sheffield Shield. He's an outstanding competitor. Number three, Xavier Bartlett – a young up-and-comer being tried at every level, Australia A, one-dayers, four-dayers and doing very well," Healy elaborated.
Healy also discussed the challenges of developing young fast bowlers. "Jordan Buckingham and then Brendan Doggett. I would say we haven't got a whole lot of depth but there's some young men coming through. The depth will be building because we've had these four bowlers together for 10 years. There's been a whole generation skipped over. With the youngsters, you try to get as much cricket into them as you possibly can, but they're a bit vulnerable to injury and then they have to take a double step up."
The selectors now face the task of choosing from these options, most of whom lack significant international experience, for the upcoming Ashes series.
The long-term dominance of Cummins, Mitchell Starc , and Josh Hazlewood , along with Scott Boland since 2021, has created a significant experience gap among emerging fast bowlers in Australian cricket .
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
"He will be a huge miss but do not risk Pat Cummins at all. He's a composed and absolutely consistent performer. He is our go-to when we need it and he gets the job done. He's tolerant, calm and an empowering leader. Scott Boland is going to be into the attack – he will be first in line but if we get an injury who else do we have?" Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.
Healy expressed confidence in the existing bowling lineup's ability to perform without Cummins. " Michael Neser is in the conversation for any Test. I would like him to get a game. Then there's the engaged teammate. He shares a beer, has a wine, great mates within the team. Starc, wicket-taker, (Nathan) Lyon real container, and Hazlewood never let off. They can get the job done without Cummins."
The 35-year-old Neser leads the list of potential replacements, followed by several emerging talents.
"Neser - if he's the best candidate we've got in the ranks, let's get him in. He's the number one. Then number two is a fellow called Fergus O'Neill, 38 wickets last year, in the Sheffield Shield. He's an outstanding competitor. Number three, Xavier Bartlett – a young up-and-comer being tried at every level, Australia A, one-dayers, four-dayers and doing very well," Healy elaborated.
Healy also discussed the challenges of developing young fast bowlers. "Jordan Buckingham and then Brendan Doggett. I would say we haven't got a whole lot of depth but there's some young men coming through. The depth will be building because we've had these four bowlers together for 10 years. There's been a whole generation skipped over. With the youngsters, you try to get as much cricket into them as you possibly can, but they're a bit vulnerable to injury and then they have to take a double step up."
The selectors now face the task of choosing from these options, most of whom lack significant international experience, for the upcoming Ashes series.
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