Speaking about the struggles of the Australian cricket team, former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri highlighted the lack of energy and aggression in their top-order batting. Shastri pointed out that the Australian cricket team was sorely missing David Warner‘s aggressive playing style and leadership and current opening shots have yet to fill this gap.
Nathan McSweeney’s swift removal from the Test squad after just three Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India has sparked strong reactions among the Australian cricket fraternity and fans. McSweeney was given the tough task of opening the batting for the first time in his red ball career and failed to make an impact against India.
Ravi Shastri says Australian Cricket Team is feeling David Warner’s absence
Nathan McSweeney struggled against India’s high quality bowlers jasprit bumrahfinished with a disappointing average of 14.4, scoring just one over 10 in six innings. On the other hand, Steve Smith has been inconsistent in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India at home, scoring just 24.8.
Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja are also completely out of form, both averaging below 17 with just one-and-a-half centuries between them. Only Travis Head was in perfect form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which is a major concern for the Kangaroos.
Ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Shastri said Australia missed the attacking presence of David Warner, who had a significant impact on the opposition. teams during his decade-long career. He emphasized that India were able to play free ball because nobody attacked them.
Australian team misses David Warner a lot: Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri was quoted by Fox Cricket as saying, “It was going to come; someone had to go from the top row because punches were coming out of nowhere. India was allowed to drown in them. They need someone to attack and Australia miss David Warner in a big way. Here, Australia will understand the impact of Warner’s ten years of playing on the opposition.”
The former head coach of India also expressed his sympathy for Nathan McSweeney. The commentator acknowledged McSweeney’s performance in Adelaide, but noted that he was not fit for the opening role. Shastri suggested that when Australia tour Sri Lanka, McSweeney should be deployed in the middle order where he can develop his career.
Shastri said, “McSweeney again. Pity him as he played really well in Adelaide but he is not an opener. I think he should come right back into the side when Australia go to Sri Lanka soon. Let him build his career in an average manner.”
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne struggling under immense pressure to deliver: Ravi Shastri
The former India captain pointed out that Nathan McSweeney faced an early exit, but he is young and still has time to bounce back and get another opportunity in the future. But that is not the case with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, who are now under huge pressure to score runs.
Shastri, “There would be pressure; Khawaja and Marnus are also under huge pressure to run. He would be the fall guy, McSweeney. But he is young, he also has time, and in time they will give him the opportunity to come again.”
