Generational change not far away if Oz batsmen fail to deliver: Roebuck

Sydney, Oct 9 (ANI): Australian selectors may be forced to change the entire batting order with only Shane Watson and Michael Clarke holding their place in next twelve months, if they fail to stop defeats, according to noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck.

He said the Australian batting line up needs to score runs in the interim or the selectors, who don't want to unsettle the team before the first outing of an Ashes series, will be forced to do so.

"Australian pace department will stay strong for years. But the batting is the headache. A generational change is not far away. It's entirely possible that only Shane Watson and Michael Clarke will be around in 12 months. If the mob does not perform forthwith the selectors may act," he wrote in a syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

"It's up to the incumbents to ease the pressure with a strong showing in Bangalore. Clearly, Marcus North and Mike Hussey are on guard. North has a high backlift and takes a long stride that does not give him much margin for error," Roebuck said.

"Inconsistency is almost inevitable. Is it too late to change? Newspapers are full of pensioners taking degrees. It's never too late," he added.

Roebuck said Hussey's preparation for the Mohali Test was affected by his obligation to play T20 cricket in South Africa, as he wanted to come to India with the team, but Cricket Australia forced him to fulfil his commitment to represent the Chennai Super Kings.

He further said that by doing so the Australian captain, vice-captain and cricket community were badly let down by their own boar, and Ponting is entitled to rage against this undermining of his position.

Roebuck asked the Australian team to take encouragement from its opponents' injuries.

"Although out of sorts, Gautam Gambhir is a capable batsman and will be missed. Ishant Sharma's measure can be taken from the telling contributions he made to his team's victory in Mohali. Although the local selectors have brought teenagers into the squad, older hands are expected to play, he said. (ANI)