Moment of reckoning for Aussies

It is said that Anil Kumble had trouble with the Sri Lankan left-handers. As Australia have failed miserably against the quick leg-spinner they may decide to test that theory in Bangalore. Darren Lehmann will be an automatic replacement for the injured Steve Waugh, which adds another left-hander to the top order and, importantly, one who can be severe on the ball turning into him from the off. I’m delighted Lehmann is going to get his chance in a Test match, as he possesses enough talent to have played for Australia on many previous occasions. In addition to Lehmann’s enormous skill, he has a positive attitude towards batting and, in full cry, can be veryentertaining.

The other left-handed choice was Machael Bevan, who has been flown in to bolster the touring party. Despite the fact that he is quick on his feet against the spinners and also picks up a few handy wickets with his left-arm chinaman deliveries, the selectors resisted the strong temptation to also include him in the line-up. If they had decided to play Bevan the out of form Slater would have been the obvious one to miss out. However, it would have been a brave choice as it could well have spelt the end of Slater’s international career.

Slater’s problems are mostly in his mind, being uncertain whether to attack or defend and in the end doing neither, but Javagal Srinath’s fine bowling has also added to his torment. Srinath is injured and if he doesn’t play or is ineffective as a bowler, Slater needs to grasp this heaven sent opportunity to set his career back on the rails.

As poor starts have been a major part of Australia’s batting problem there may be some discussion about demoting GregBlewett and pushing Ricky Ponting up to number three. Under normal circumstances, Mark Taylor would probably make this move, but Blewett is vulnerable to the spinners and his problems would be exacerbated if he batted in the middle order. The Australians may leave this decision to the last minute in order to see whether Srinath, who has troubled the right-hander by bringing the ball back from outside the off-stump, is fit to play. If Srinath doesn’t play, Blewett will probably get a reprieve.

Whatever moves the Australian selectors either choose or are forced to make, the difficulty will be for the players to pick themselves up and be in the right mental state for the coming battle. In this regard a few fresh minds that haven’t been dulled by heavy defeat might help. Taylor has proved himself to be not only a good captain, but also a positive thinker. The job of having his troops ready for the battle in Bangalore will be one of the toughest assignments he’s faced.

On this score Taylor will miss SteveWaugh, because he is one of the toughest minded competitors in the side and has long been an inspiration to his younger teammates. With Steve Waugh missing, the younger players should look upon this Test as an opportunity to show that they are ready to take more responsibility as the Australian team moves into a transition stage. Blewett and Slater will be busy trying to rehabilitate their careers, while Lehmann will be attempting to set his in motion and Ponting will be keen to prove he can play spin as well as he handles pace bowling.

For a few individuals in the Australian team, this is a very important Test. They’ll not only be part of trying to restore team pride, as well as provide a glimpse of the form that caused this side to be ranked as the best in the world, but also trying to ensure that they are an integral part of Australia’s future.