Some thoughts/observations.
Since the advent of one day cricket, teams are more capable and confident of chasing a total in the fourth innings. Giving a side 2 days and a session to score at just over two runs an over is now much more difficult to defend than it has been in the history of the game.
Pitches nowadays don't seem to deteriorate over the span of a test match as much as they used to do. Drop-in pitches I think highlight this aspect even more so.
Two fairly good reasons to enforce the follow-on when the match is in the sort of situation this one was.
Also to the point as far as this Aussie side is concerned, is that it doesn't have a match winning spinner in its ranks to run through a side on the last day. As good as Nathan Lyons' record is, he needs to develop a lot more variety in his bowling to be an effective match winner. A finger spinner without a doosra, or something similar, is fairly easy pickings for test match batsmen.
Handscomb looks to be the goods. Should just get better with experience and confidence. Renshaw has similarly done pretty good, and should be around for a while. Madinson failed in his first dig, and the later two innings have had some excuses. His spot must be in jeopardy with Marsh (Sean) on his way back from injury and Chris Lynn likely to start shaking up the BBL. Nic needs to get out of 20 Twenty mode and make sure he gets set before going for the big hits. Lynn would be good value just for his fielding, but I think he'll make the grade with his batting as well when given a chance.
Wade hasn't offered anything yet with his batting and again has missed one or two reasonably easy chances. Will need to dramatically improve in Melbourne/Sydney or we'll be waving goodbye to him I think.
Given Lyons' lack of effectiveness especially I believe against sub-continent batsmen, consideration should be given to a four pace attack in coming tests. Impatient to see Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins, Pattinson all together.
Not a Brumby in sight
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