England ploy to nullify Smith with green tracks could backfire
Worcester: Four years ago, a dramatic shift to slow, green seaming pitches from the third Ashes Test onwards led to Australia’s demise in England, most notoriously at Trent Bridge, where they were rolled for 60 almost singlehandedly by Stuart Broad.
As England wrestle with the dilemma of how to lessen Steve Smith’s influence on the series, similar conditions could be in store for the second Test at Lord’s next week.
The previous Test in north London between England and Ireland certainly favoured the bowlers, with Joe Root's side knocked over for 85 in their first innings before the Test minnows were ironed out for 38 in their second innings.
While their tour turned ugly in 2015, this time around Australia believe they are ready for whatever they are presented with in the four Tests to come, believing the production of green seaming wickets aimed at negating Smith’s dominance could in fact backfire on Joe Root’s side.
"I think there will definitely be a bit more in it [compared to Edgbaston] but in saying that probably their best exponent Jimmy [Anderson] is not going to play, so they might weigh up different options,” said fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. “But I think there will definitely be a bit more in it, maybe just so they can get Smithy out.
"Him batting on those sort of tracks [like in Birmingham] is very hard work [for bowlers]. I think it suits us as much as them if there is more in the wicket, so we’ll weigh that up.”
Hazlewood was overlooked for the first Test along with Mitchell Starc but put his name up in lights during Australia’s tour match against Worcestershire, taking three of the top five wickets with figures of 3-34 in 15 overs.
Starc and Michael Neser also figured in the county game while Edgbaston selections James Pattinson and Peter Siddle ran drinks and Pat Cummins was given a break from the squad along with fellow World Cup players Smith, David Warner and Nathan Lyon.
Coach Justin Langer has been adamant their bowling attack will be chosen with conditions at each venue firmly in mind and Hazlewood says they have options for whatever is thrown up.
“We’ve got three guys with proper air speed and we’ve got three guys who probably seam it and swing it a little bit,” Hazlewood said. “I think that’s what they’ve got six quicks for, to have all bases covered. I think it’s just who’s bowling the best at that particular time leading into the Test and who gets the nod.
"If it's a dry wicket then reverse-swing might come into play. If it's very flat then someone like Mitch Starc can come into play, if it's green and seaming around then it's myself and Sidds.
"It just depends on what the conditions are but they've definitely gone a different way to 2015. It’s a great group of guys. We all want everyone else to do really well as a group and try and win the Ashes as a group.”