Brian Lara has cautioned Australia against letting too many senior players leave the game at the same time, following the side’s defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin.
Australia’s current attack is built around Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, each with more than 300 Test wickets. All four are in the later stages of their careers, so a major transition in the bowling department could be approaching.
Lara said, speaking on CODE Sports, that a staggered approach to retirements is much better. In his view, a gradual handover gives younger players more chance to learn from experienced team-mates.
The West Indies precedent
The former West Indies captain drew on his own side’s experience in the early 1990s. Around 1992 the West Indies lost Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall and Jeff Dujon within a short space of time.
After those departures, Lara said, he found himself shouldering much of the team’s batting responsibility, before players such as Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle emerged.
Next up: Mackay
Australia now turn to the second Test against Bangladesh, which begins on August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The hosts will be determined to respond to the Darwin defeat and level the two-match series.
