Ah, yes, the age-old debate between batters and bowlers.<\/p>\n
Blame for low scoring is often attributed to conditions or poor batting, often doing a disservice to the quality of bowling.<\/p>\n
Mitchell Starc, who took 10 wickets in the match at Perth, made this point and was keen to talk up the quality of the bowling from both teams.<\/p>\n
In terms of wickets falling more regularly and cheaply in Australia in recent years, some credit must be given to the home attack, one of the finest of all time: Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.<\/p>\n
The art of batting has also changed because of the influence of shorter formats of the game.<\/p>\n
A modern player is more likely to tackle difficult conditions with aggression than try to survive with solid defence, patience and determination.<\/p>\n
Writing on X before the first Ashes Test, former England batter Kevin Pietersen said: “Batters grow up now to hit sixes and play switch-hits. They don’t grow up to build an innings and learn the art of survival.<\/p>\n
“The player is not to blame at all as it is exactly where the modern day game is. The game of cricket is now about bright lights, loud music and a financial return for cricket boards, private equity and private ownership.<\/p>\n
“I wish more power to the players to make as much $$$$ as they can, whilst they can. Keep hitting sixes and switch-hits and growing your bank accounts, dudes!”<\/p>\n