India Are Favourites To Steamroll Australia Without Steve Smith And David Warner, Says Jeff Thomson
Published - 02 Nov 2018, 10:42 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:56 PM
Former Australia fast bowler Jeff Thomson has picked India as his favorites for the four-match Test series against Australia in the absence of Steven Smith and David Warner.
However, the experienced duo Steven Smith and David Warner is serving a 12-month ban from international and state cricket.
The third player from the Australian team to involved in the issue was Cameron Bancroft. They will not be able to lead the nation for another one year after the ban gets over.
Moreover, Jeff Thomson praises the Indian team saying that they have a good fast bowling unit. In addition to that, Thomson also noted that Australia’s batting line-up is not up to the mark without the duo.
“You (India) have a solid team, a very good fast bowling unit and you should win if you play hard in the upcoming series. There is no reason why you should not steamroll Australia which will be without Smith and Warner. Without these two, the Australian batting line-up is very average,” Jeff Thomson said.
Furthermore, Jeff Thomson also pointed out the lack of footwork is causing the main problem in their batting department. They had a terrible Test series against Pakistan as they lost 0-1 in the series. With the likes of Usman Khawaja, Australia could only manage to draw the first Test.
“You see the footwork of the Australians during the series against Pakistan (in the UAE which they lost 0-1). They lack technique, they just want to smack the ball out of the park, which is due to playing too many T20 and ODI matches,” Jeff Thomson added.
The 68 years old who picked up 200 wickets from 51 Tests is not happy with the decision of banning the players for a long time.
“Banning them for such a long period of 12 months is ridiculous. I heard that the ban was to be for six months but one person (the Australian Prime Minister) who has no business in the issue called up and it was changed to 12 months,” Jeff Thomson concluded.
India will play three T20Is, four Tests and three ODIs against the Baggy Greens.
