Hick: Aussie batsmen love a challenge
India and England are regarded as the two most difficult places for Test teams to tour, and new Australia batting coach Graeme Hick has emphasised the need to be patient when batting in either country.
The former England batsman was named in his new role this week, and during his four-year contract the Aussies will contest an Ashes series in England, and go to India. He feels the Aussies will be ready for the challenge, despite recent results in Asia not going their way.
Sri Lanka won the recent Test series three-nil as Australia failed to cope with the spin of Rangana Herath. Before the series, the Aussies had spoken about patience, but words did not translate into actions and Hick insisted they do next time.
Hick said of his man-management strategy on the CA website: “All your great players love a challenge. They manage to adapt and work it out themselves, in a way.
“So (I will) just pose a few questions, challenge them a bit. And I think there’s a challenge there anyway, especially in regard to England and the Ashes – I don’t think they’ll need much motivation for that.
“It’s about adapting to the conditions. I think at times the Australian way is to really dominate, especially in Test cricket … Maybe India is a place where you need a little more patience.
“Let’s not forget it’s one of the hardest challenges in cricket. The teams that have been successful there recently have been (due to) guys who have made big runs up front.
“So it’s a matter of if one of our top order gets in, just batting a couple of sessions maybe is not enough.
“You’ve got to look at posting a big first-innings score if you get in, so that may require a little more patience than some players might normally play at.
“But that’s the exciting part – we’ve not won there for quite a while, and I think this group of players, having spoken to a couple of them briefly, is certainly up for the challenge and wanting to make a better account of themselves than they did in the Sri Lanka series.
“The biggest thing will be the side believing they can go over there and be successful, and coming up with a plan and sticking to that plan.”
Latest
-
UKSeven more Pakistan players due to tour England test positive for coronavirus
Three players had already tested positive from the first batch of Covid-19 tests on Sunday.
-
UKCricket returns to England as Kraigg Brathwaite shines in West Indies tune-up
The tourists split their 25-man squad in two for a practice match in Manchester.
-
PakistanAshley Giles upbeat over England-Pakistan prospects despite coronavirus cases
The first of England’s three Tests against Pakistan is due to get under way at Lord’s on July 30.
-
CricketAustralia’s Tim Paine eager to learn from England-West Indies series
The first West Indies and England Test commences on July 8.
-
UKOn this day in 2013: England fall to five-run defeat in Champions Trophy final
Alastair Cook’s side were firm favourites with 16 balls to go but the wheels came off in arresting fashion.
-
UKPhil Simmons expecting fierce battle between Ben Stokes and Jason Holder
Holder occupies top spot in the International Cricket Council Test all-rounder rankings ahead of Stokes.
-
UKThree members of Pakistan squad to tour England test positive for coronavirus
Infections rates in Pakistan have risen sharply over the past couple of months.
-
UKEngland to pay tribute to key workers during West Indies Test series
The three Tests will be called the #raisethebat series.
-
UKMohammad Abbas no longer available to Nottinghamshire for 2020 campaign
Abbas has taken 79 wickets in 19 matches for Leicestershire in the last two domestic seasons.
-
EnglandShane Dowrich would not swap any of West Indies pace attack for Jofra Archer
The wicketkeeper states the West Indies are more than happy with their bowling line-up.