Young cricketers need to stand up: Arthur
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Coach Mickey Arthur has implored Australia’s inexperienced cricketers to make their mark on English soil before next year’s Ashes tour.
The new-look national team has the chance to test themselves in English conditions in the upcoming five-match one-day series starting on June 29 at Lord’s.
With questions still hovering over Australia’s middle order, the eight-match tour represents a massive opportunity for the likes of wannabe Ashes tourists Peter Forrest, George Bailey and Steve Smith to impress.
The Australian team will be missing the familiar faces of 37-year-olds Ricky Ponting (omitted) and Mike Hussey (family reasons) with the experience of 556 one-day internationals between them.
“It changes the dynamics quite a bit and that is why we are looking for other players to stand up and take over that responsibility,” Arthur said.
“Michael and Ricky are not going to be around forever so this gives the guys out here a chance to stake their claims and an opportunity to make their mark and show us they belong.”
It is set to be a searching examination against England’s formidable pace attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan in traditionally seam-friendly conditions.
Forrest, 26, made a strong start to his one-day career in February with a century and two half centuries in his opening four matches before his numbers dropped off in the West Indies.
Likewise, Tasmanian Bailey, 29, has yet to cement his spot in the 50-over side while 24-year-old Smith is looking to re-ignite his international career.
Bailey and Forrest will not be the only ones finding their way on English soil.
The likes of dashing opener David Warner, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and quicks Pat Cummins and James Pattinson must also soak up the experience before next year’s Ashes series.
Australia’s captain Michael Clarke said his players had to grab their chances following a 2-2 draw in the five-match one-day series in the Caribbean.
“I think they did that throughout the one-day summer (in Australia) once Ricky was dropped from the team, we managed to go on and win that tri-series for Australia,” he said.
“The boys went to West Indies and did a pretty good job in tough conditions, and again it’s going to be new for a lot of players to play in English conditions.”
Australia will open their 50-over tour of the UK with a match against Leicestershire at Grace Road on Thursday.
The tourists will play Ireland in Belfast on Saturday and Essex at Chelmsford three days later.
© AAP 2013
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The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
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June 20th 2012 @ 3:17am
Lolly said | June 20th 2012 @ 3:17am | Report comment
I have a very clear memory of Shaun Marsh and Mike Hussey smashing Broad and Anderson around in an ODI a couple of years ago in England. They just went beserk in a powerplay. I realy hope at least one of the newish chaps takes that sort of chance. Not that it did Shaun Marsh much good but the English commentators got a real shock as no-one knew who he was.
We can but hope.
June 20th 2012 @ 9:22am
Disco said | June 20th 2012 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Whether or not “young” players “stand up”, coach/selector Arthur will promote his favourites.
June 20th 2012 @ 9:34am
Pope Paul VII said | June 20th 2012 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Ditto Disco
June 20th 2012 @ 10:35am
jameswm said | June 20th 2012 @ 10:35am | Report comment
Forrest, Khawaja, Hughes, Marsh etc – they need to knock the selection door down.
Until they do, Huss and Ponting will stay in. To change the team, you sort of need both poor form from an incumbent and irresistable form by a contender to be happening at the same time.
June 20th 2012 @ 11:29am
Pope Paul VII said | June 20th 2012 @ 11:29am | Report comment
They need a few however I don’t reckon an insane amount is necessary. The SAffers fasties have the potential to unleash a 1970 style caning against a long toothed team. What then if the door knockers aren’t pounding too hard?
Interesting article re Hussey D and Rogers C on cricinfo making a bid in these days of anyone can make it selections.
June 20th 2012 @ 11:43pm
Rhys said | June 20th 2012 @ 11:43pm | Report comment
Nothing against David Hussey as a player, but if he makes his Test debut at age 34/35 it doesn’t say a lot about the batting form/depth with the under 30s.
June 21st 2012 @ 12:17pm
Morning Son said | June 21st 2012 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Anyone else a bit under-whelmed that KP and Punter Ponting aren’t playing?
It seems like a lite version of the Australian V England rivalry.
Hopefully Pattinson and Cummings can put the heat up a few English batsmen – I have always thought that the English batsmen struggle against express pace – South Africa should be able to open that wound up come the test series.
Even when Johnson clicked against England and got it all together some of their batsmen struggled against the fast pace johnson could generate.
All in all, without Ponting and KP this contest lacks a bit of star power, a bit of class.
Hopefully some players can stand up and put the wind up the English.
In the mean time, love to all.