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PAT Cummins expects Cameron Green to have a greater workload with the ball against India this summer with Australia’s all-rounders set to play a key role in ensuring the first-choice pace attack can sustain through five Tests in little more than seven weeks.
Australia were able to field an unchanged frontline attack through the seven Tests they played last season against Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand. None of the matches went into a fifth day and in only three of the innings did Australia need to bowl more than 78 overs which aided in keeping Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood fresh.
Green gave Australia an additional bowling option when he returned to the side against West Indies following David Warner’s retirement but was only needed for 42 overs across four Tests.
“It’s been huge [having the allrounders],” Cummins said. “In some ways we haven’t had to use them as much as we thought we would. Which is a great thing. The last couple of summers have been pretty light [with] quick Test matches.
“I suspect this summer might be a bit different at time. We’ll be drawing on Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit more. Even someone like Cam basically started in Shield cricket as a bowler but hasn’t had to bowl heaps in Test matches. Now he is a few years older, I think we will be leaning on him a bit more.”
Green, who has taken 35 wickets at 35.31 in Tests, slotted back into the side at No. 4 earlier this year and scored a magnificent 174 not out against New Zealand in Wellington. There remains some uncertainty over the structure of Australia’s top six against India with Steven Smith’s opening role set to be an ongoing debate over the next few months.
Still, barring injury it is all-but certain Green will be joined by Mitchell Marsh in the top six.
“The first point is they both absolutely make the top six on their batting alone which is a luxury,” Cummins said at the launch of Play Cricket week.
“We’re really lucky that Nathan Lyon bowls plenty of overs, so you don’t necessarily have to have an allrounder, but it makes a big difference to have that fifth bowling option.
“And with someone like Cam and Mitch we have six bowling options. It’s a really nice thing to have. Top six should always make the team on their batting.”
Cummins’ fellow bowlers have also said that having a bowling captain has helped manage their workloads. — EspnCricinfo.
Online Reporter