Australia are relishing the prospect of uniting their “big four” pace attack for the first time at the Champions Trophy — and sending a message to England ahead of the Ashes.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson are all fit and poised to bowl together given conducive conditions at the tournament in England and Wales.
Injuries have prevented the strike bowlers from playing together in the same Australian squad and coach Darren Lehmann is licking his lips at the opportunity to let them loose.
“It’s the first time we’ve had the big four available,” Lehmann said.
“It would be great to see them go at it and see how they go. They’re quality players and we’ve got a quality squad.”
Injury-bedevilled Cummins is finally fit and playing consistent cricket for the first time in his career after overcoming a series of back stress fractures, while Pattinson has returned from shin and back injuries.
Starc, who has recovered from a foot injury that cut short his India Test tour in March, said he was excited by the prospect of combining with his fellow speedsters at the Champions Trophy.
“We’ve had our issues with injury but Patty’s (Cummins) only just turned 24. I’m 27 and I’m the oldest. So we’ve still got plenty of time to wreak havoc on batsmen around the world,” Starc said.
Former Test batsman Adam Voges said anything was possible for Australia if the foursome can stay fit and available.
“If they’ve got all four to choose fromthen it is going to be incredibly exciting to watch, maybe not to face,” Voges said.
Australia’s participation at the Champions Trophy has been clouded by an acrimonious stand-off in pay talks between the players’ union and Cricket Australia with a looming June 30 expiry of their current financial deal.
Lehmann has conceded the bitter dispute will be a distraction for Australia, but he has played down any potential boycott of the Ashes, as suggested by some players.
Another pressing issue for Lehmann will be where the big-hitting Chris Lynn fits into the batting line-up, if at all.
Lynn was in devastating form for the Kolkata Knight Riders at the top of the order in this year’s Indian Premier League, scoring 295 runs at an average of 49.16 and a strike rate of 180.98.
“First, he’s got to get selected in the eleven and the captain (Steve Smith) will tell him where he’s going to bat,” Lehmann said.
Published 29 May 2017, 19:11 IST