Australia’s uncertain top six which looked to struggle against India in their last series at home are likely to be bolstered by a full-time batting coach from this year’s ashes and beyond.
The role of batting coach, which was held by Justin Langer 2009-2012, Micheal De Venuto 2013-2016, and Graeme Hick 2016 till 2019 was made redundant last year as part of COVID-19 related cuts by Cricket Australia. At the time Langer commented on Hick as “nothing that he’s done, but more the impact of cost-cutting that we are doing.”
But since their resounding loss to India last summer, the whole team has been under criticism by the former cricketers and experts. People are questioning, could there have been an impact if a special skilled coach was available during the tour.
The shortcomings of Australian batting were visible as only Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were only two batsmen who scored some valuable runs in the series against India.
These shortcomings were publically addressed as only three test batsmen were in the annual contract list named, Smith, Warner, and Labuschange. Although the pivot back to the batting coach indicates that the series result was not entirely on the players.
The main names that are in consideration are Chris Rogers, Adam Voges, and Jeff Vaughan while Ricky Ponting and Micheal Hussey will be on-road as the commentators.
