In the aftermath of the absolutely atrocious loss by Australia to New Zealand (the eighth ranked Test playing nation), the new national selection panel has the perfect excuse to bloody the axe before the Boxing Day Test match against India.
The team for two Test series against New Zealand looked like this: Hughes, Warner, Khawaja, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Haddin, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc, Lyon.
The team that should be selected for the Boxing Day Test against India (assuming everyone is fit) looks like this: Warner, Cowan, Marsh, Khawaja, Clarke, Watson, Wade, Harris, Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon.
That is a big shake up, involving five changes from the team that was so unconvincing against New Zealand.
The man hard done by is Michael Hussey, who performed exceptionally against Sri Lanka but failed against both South Africa and New Zealand. He actually averages 42.21 for 2011, making him the third-best performed Australian batsmen (only Clarke 45.08 at and Warner at 76.50 are better).
However, he is 36 and in the last four Test matches (against South Africa and New Zealand) Hussey has scored 83 runs at an average of 12. He was by far and away Australia’s best in both the Ashes (570 at 63) and the series in Sri Lanka (463 at 92), but prior to the Ashes was on the verge of being dropped.
It is time to move him on and indulge that patience on a player (Khawaja) that might represent Australia for the next decade, not one that has done so for the last decade. His only chance of retaining his spot should be if Shaun Marsh is not fit in time for Boxing Day.
Usman Khawaja is the one batsman extended a life despite mediocre performances recently. He survives given that he has been the best-performed young batsman in the Sheffield Shield for the last couple of years and is in fact better performed than both Hughes and Ponting at test level in 2011.
He is promising and deserves the chance to cement a spot in the batting order. He needs to be given the four Tests against India and three against the West Indies to prove himself, not shuffled in and out of the team constantly.
I have noticed many people jumping on the drop Khawaja for Marsh bandwagon as if Marsh is the best batsmen in Australia suddenly. It simply is not true. Shaun Marsh is not the saviour of Australian cricket. Compare the two records:
Marsh:
Test: Five innings in three matches at an average of 56.80.
First class: (excluding Tests): 114 innings in 62 matches at an average of 38.65.
Shield 2010: 414 runs at 59.14.
Shield 2009: 477 runs at 59.62.
Khawaja:
Test: 11 innings in six matches at an average of 29.22.
First class: (excluding Tests): 60 innings in 36 matches at an average of 47.71.
Shield 2010: 613 runs at 63.10 (including the highest score of the season).
Shield 2009: 698 runs at 63.45.
Certainly, Marsh has had a more impressive start to his Test career, but he has also not played enough innings for his average to sort itself out (and it will drop, in fact it has trended down every innings since his debut of 141).
Interestingly, Hughes has a similar record to both of these two, but has performed worse than both at Test level in 2011; a spell in Shield cricket may help him correct his technique and perform a Hayden-like comeback to opening for Australia in the future.
The big winner is Ed Cowan, who earns a call up to try to steady Australia’s top order. Watson returns but not to opener, moving down the order to allow him to bowl more often and more effectively for the team. Clarke is maintained in his preferred spot down the order at number five.
Wicketkeeper Haddin must be moved on. His glovework has been inconsistent in recent times, following accomplished performances with sloppy ones. However, it is his batting that provides for his downfall. Twice in the last four Test matches Australia has suffered a collapse and required their wicketkeeper-batsman to be a rock to protect the tail and save the innings.
In both circumstances Haddin has shown very poor judgment and thrown away his wicket. It is time for a new gloveman and with Tim Paine injured, Matthew Wade deserves his shot in a baggy-green.
Lyon is assured his selection as spinner.
In the pace department, it is a case of select the uninjured bowler. Harris, Cummins and Pattinson are the frontline attack but both Harris and Cummins are currently injured, the latter for the entire home summer.
Siddle has improved markedly since the Ashes and deservedly retains a spot in the mix. Harris should play against India but if he is unable to the third pace spot is up for grabs – Cutting is injured, Starc’s performance against New Zealand showed that he is not yet ready for Test cricket (at least in my opinion), and that opens the door for Josh Hazlewood to sneak into the mix.
Copeland appears to be out of favour due to his lack of pace; and one hopes that Ben Hilfenhaus isn’t recalled to the baggy-green.
That is how I see it. Now it is time to see what the selection panel thinks.
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