Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket

 
Tom Dimanis Roar Pro

By Tom Dimanis, 15 Jan 2011 Tom Dimanis is a Roar Pro

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I just about vaulted my delicious Beef Stroganoff dinner (so lovingly prepared by my wife) when I heard Andrew Hilditch proclaim that he and his team had done a very good job as selectors of the Australian Test side.

As an Australian cricket fan, I took this statement as a direct insult. I mean, how dare he?

Three innings-defeats in an Ashes series made it so glaringly obvious that the side they selected were not up to the task.

I admired how Mr. Hilditch so brilliantly deflected the blame onto other areas, like the declining state of the Sheffield Shield competition. He’s a great lawyer.

The NSP, as they like to call themselves these days, dutifully demonstrated their gross incompetence with a series of baffling moves, which included their appalling handling of Doug Bollinger, an in-the-dark spin-bowling selection policy, and weak-as-urine batting selections.

The lack of preparation and common sense applied to the selection of the national team was so unbelievably careless. In contrast, the English squad came over with a smaller squad and were very well prepared, so much so that their plan B bowling options were better than their plan A attack.

Hilditch and co’s woeful selection policies have now filtered into the shorter forms of the game. Although at this stage the World Cup squad should be their primary focus, they should at the same time be thinking about the future of the Test side.

A decent rebuild, won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. It needs to start now. Like, RIGHT now.

If I was king, first move would be a swift drop-kick to Hilditch’s backside and an “adios amigo, don’t you come back, ya hear?”. And a “See ya later” to Jamie Cox too. I’d bring in Steve Waugh, I like his style. Boony, you can stay.

If I was king …

1. Replace Phil Hughes with Shaun Marsh
Phil Hughes is technically inept to handle quality Test match bowling. It’s a fact. He was averaging just over 20 in the Shield this season before his selection. He was hardly knocking loudly on the door, more like tap tap tapping on the window begging to be let in.

If opposition sides bowl to him wide outside off stump he will cream them. Bowl at his body and watch him wrap himself up into a human ball of mess. He can’t improve his technique from here, it’s too late, even at age 22.

Shaun Marsh has a solid technique and has been steadily improving. Given a decent 10-match stint in the Test arena he’ll eventually add some stability to the top order.

Simon Katich has had his time in the sun. It’s a shame because he would’ve made a great Test captain.

2. See ya later Steve Smith, hello Callum Ferguson
A mate of mine recently described Steve Smith as “a child with no technique and no patience.” Yes it was a harsh comment, but I couldn’t agree more. So apt, so very apt.

Should the Aussie hierarchy give him time to work on his technique?

Hell no.

Save him for the Twenty20 slap, tickle and giggle. His ugly batting style suits the bastardised format perfectly.

Ferguson is a solid run scorer and looks like a batsman. I’d send him to Sri Lanka as the team’s no. 6 when the Australians tour there in August, and take it from there.

3. Hey Haddin, here comes the Paine
Brad Haddin did a credible job standing up to the English this summer. He at least scored a century when the top 4 couldn’t. However, he has two things going against him – old age and dubious glovework.

Tim Paine has on the other hand has youth on his side, and he doesn’t muff catches behind the stumps. He’s pretty solid with the bat too. Aussie fans can only hope that he has the leadership skills the selectors think he has.

4. Dump Mitchell Johnson, replace him with anyone
I’m sorry to say but he’s had a free ride for the last year and a half. Can he get wickets? Of course he can. Can he bowl to a plan? Nup. Does he leak runs? More than a leaky boat.

He has the potential to be such a devastating bowler if he could get his head right. Poor Troy Cooley, he must’ve tried very hard.

Johnson needs a solid season in the Shield competition starved of international action to bring some desperation into his game. A one-match rest hanging around the nets isn’t enough.

There are a few bowlers ready to take his spot. Peter George comes to mind – is he the tall, metronome-type bowler we’ve been looking for since Glenn McGrath’s departure?

5. Stick with Beer
His selection was totally left of centre and he didn’t really deserve a baggy green after only five first-class matches. I think he only got selected because he has such a cool name.

All this aside, in the Sydney test he was giving the ball some flight and/or spin, vital spin bowling components that seem to be lacking in the modern Australian off-spin bowler. He’s also quite tall for a spinner which means he has the ability to offer some bounce to trouble opposing batsmen.

6. Sorry Punter
Ricky Ponting will be remembered as one of the greatest Australian batsmen … ever. Pure class and heart. Unfortunately he is out of form and the end to his career is nigh. The next Ashes series in 2013 is just too far away. His selection in the World Cup squad is a perfect departing gift.

If I was a selector I’d let him know the World Cup will be his swansong and his last chance for glory.

It would be great to see Punter go out with a bang. I’m sure if he’s presented with a last-ever tournament scenario, he will.

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