By IANS,
Sydney : The Australian batting line-up, which had an intimidating look not long ago with Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist in their ranks, doesn’t have the same menacing presence out in the middle.
First the Indian bowlers proved in the summer that they were not overawed by the Australian batsmen and now West Indies pacemen have rattled them.
The batting aura of the world champions is not there.
Hayden, who is sidelined with injury, boasts a Test average of 53 while Gilchrist retired last summer with an average of 47, reports The Australian.
But it is not simply the raw numbers that Australia is missing.
It is the imposing presence of both men. Rival bowlers have been decimated by the belligerence of Hayden and the flashing blade of Gilchrist.
Phil Jaques, Simon Katich and Mike Hussey are all fine players but they don’t have that imtimidating presence.
Bowling attacks all over the world now think they can pressure Australia’s top-order.
In two of its past three Tests, Australia has been in major trouble. It collapsed to 5-18 in the second innings in Jamaica and sank to 5-111 here in Barbados.
And it should have been worse in Barbados. If the West Indies held their catches — and Andrew Symonds not escaped with a lucky umpiring decision when caught behind off the glove — Australia could have been bowled out for around 150.
Australia’s bowling battles without Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne have been well-documented, but their batting wobbles are starting to receive a stern examination.