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By Joe Barton
RANCHI, India, Oct 22 AAP – A Queenslander has emerged as a major threat to Australia’s hopes of taking over as the world’s premier one-day side.
A fast bowler, Joe Dawes played 76 first class games for Queensland in the late 90s and early 2000s where he was mostly stuck behind the Bulls’ pace trio of Michael Kasprowicz, Adam Dale and current Australian selector Andy Bichel.
But it’s Dawes’ role as India’s bowling coach that stands between Australia and the ICC’s ODI top ranking, which the tourists can claim with wins in the final four matches of the seven-game series they currently lead 2-1.
With the runs flowing and wickets at a premium, both sides are looking for their bowling leaders to stand up.
Australia appear to have found theirs in Mitchell Johnson, who is embracing the enforcer role and on Saturday bowled with fearsome pace to take 4-46 and rattle the Indians.
The home side are having slightly more trouble, with their great fast bowling hope, 25-year-old Ishant Sharma, lacking confidence after conceding 30 runs in one over during the dramatic loss at Mohali.
While the Indian team enjoyed a day off training on Monday, Sharma and reserve paceman Jaydev Unadkat spent 90 minutes in the middle of JSCA Stadium in Ranchi working with Dawes.
Sharma initially bowled off a short run, with cones guiding him closer to the stumps, with a focus on keeping his upper body straighter.
He bowled at one stump, with Dawes offering encouragement and words of advice after every delivery before the right-armer moved back and started bowling at full pace.
Sharma has the disappointing figures of 2-189 with an economy rate nearing eight runs per over across the first three games this series and his place in the side is in severe doubt for the final four matches.
But prior to his lengthy session with Dawes, India captain MS Dhoni suggested it would be unwise to dump a fast bowler with 51 Tests and 69 ODIs experience so hastily.
“It would be unfair if you want to throw away bowlers from the playing eleven after one or two games,” Dhoni said after the Mohali loss.
“Its very important to persist with them and give them experience.
“They are part of the team because they are talented.
“People who are waiting can wait a little more.
“In India, once someone goes out of the side, people forget them and only talk about new people.
“I feel we should back players. Once a new guy comes in, you have the same cycle.
“I think there should be one principle we work on.”