Amidst a chorus of criticism following Australia’s series-deciding ODI loss to Pakistan in Perth, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley has stood by the selectors’ decision to rest key Test players.
Hockley disclosed that CA is carefully reviewing next summer’s travel schedules to ensure Australia can field its best XI more consistently—particularly in the lead-up to marquee series such as the Ashes.
Australia’s recent loss drew fire from fans and commentators, as Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne were all rested for the final ODI in Perth. This decision raised eyebrows, especially with an 11-day gap before the first Test of the summer, also set in Perth, on November 22.
But according to insiders, the move to rest players was planned by Cricket Australia well in advance, with the health of its pacemen in mind. CA’s data-backed strategy highlights the heightened risk of injury for fast bowlers playing consecutive ODIs with travel squeezed in between.
A grueling summer awaits Australia, with seven Tests on the docket against India and Sri Lanka. Australia’s rotation policy aims to keep their pace attack fit and ready for this demanding season, a lesson learned from the UK tour where six Australian bowlers were side-lined due to injuries.
Hockley assured that Cricket Australia would reflect on this experience when arranging the travel schedule for next summer’s white-ball series against India, which leads into the Ashes.
Pakistan, as opposed to the hosts, fielded the same XI across the series, with their quicks delivering impressive performances back-to-back in Adelaide and Perth.
Unlike Australia, Pakistan’s pace attack had rest periods between series, with both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah slated to skip the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. This highlights the universal challenge of balancing rest and performance on the international stage.
In a summer stacked with iconic clashes and growing expectations, Australia’s rotation approach will continue to draw attention as CA navigates the balancing act of keeping players fresh while striving for victories.
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