Revealed: The shocking problem with the Australian cricket team that should have fans VERY worried
- Pat Cummins and his team in an exciting series against India
- There is a big problem looming for the national team
A quick look at the ages of the Australian cricket team for the SCG Test against India reveals there is not a single player in their 20s – leaving the squad facing a ferocious drop-off as Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon approach them all in the twilight of their careers.
At 19, Sam Konstas offers youthful exuberance at the top of the order, as evidenced by his series of daring ramp shots on his debut in the Boxing Day Test.
Significantly, Konstas’ batting partner Usman Khawaja is almost double his age at 37.
Off-spinner Lyon is also 37, while Smith is 35, with pacer Mitchell Starc 34.
Some of the ‘younger players’ include Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head at 30, with skipper Cummins at 31 – and even Sydney debutant Beau Webster is 31.
It does not bode well for the future and poses a huge challenge for national coach Andrew McDonald and his staff as they struggle to maintain a winning formula.
Not a single member of the Australian squad to face India at the SCG is in their 20s, with the likes of Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja (pictured) and Nathan Lyon all fast approaching the twilight of their international careers.
At 19, Sam Konstas (pictured on his debut at the MCG) offers youthful exuberance, in contrast to his opening partner Usman Khawaja, who at 37 is almost double his age.
Steve Smith is an automatic selection for Australia at Test level, but at the age of 35 his time in the baggy green could be coming to an end
Sydney debutant Beau Webster is 31 – and while he has been rewarded with a baggy green after impressive Shield numbers with the bat and ball for Tasmania, he is a late bloomer rather than a raw, emerging talent.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though: batsman Nathan McSweeney – who was replaced by Konstas ahead of the Boxing Day Test – is 25 and should return to the side at some point, while injured all-rounder Cameron Green is the same age.
McDonald doesn’t seem too concerned about a simultaneous mass exodus, pointing to Australia’s number one Test rankings.
“We are always looking to future-proof,” he said in October after his contract with Cricket Australia was extended until at least 2027.
“You’ve seen the changes in the white ball [ODI and T20] cricket…Test matches were a little different, we are really settled.
‘That’s no big deal… we’re number one in the Test Rankings. ‘It is also very difficult to change an established team that is performing very well.’