Maxwell faces big Australian Test chance
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Uncapped duo Glenn Maxwell and Moises Henriques and fellow allrounder Steve Smith face a potentially career-defining moment in Australia’s opening two-day tour game starting on Tuesday in Chennai.
The sudden retirement of middle-order batting great Mike Hussey and star allrounder Shane Watson’s decision to play as a batsman-only in the first Test against India on February 22 have created a massive opportunity for off-spinner Maxwell, leg-spinner Smith or seamer Henriques to grab the No.7 batting slot.
National coach and selector Mickey Arthur has already indicated wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is being considered for a promotion to No.6 with an all-rounder to follow then four specialist bowlers.
“With two tour games (February 12-13 and 16-18), it’s an opportunity for someone to score runs and take wickets,” Australian opening batsman Ed Cowan said on Sunday in Chennai.
“I’m sure whoever manages to do that of that three (will be a big chance to play).
“I don’t think there’s a clear standout.
“The hand has been shown a little bit with Shane Watson only wanting to bat – there is a need for an all-rounder.
“Whether that’s a spinning all-rounder or a medium-pace allrounder is one dictated by the conditions they think they’ll face but, two, dictated by form.”
Cowan says NSW pair Henriques and Smith and Victoria’s Maxwell are all super-talented players but they lack consistency.
All three have international experience in limited-overs cricket.
“There are three guys who can provide two options with bat and ball,” Cowan said.
“We’ve seen how good each of them can be in patches but it’s just that consistent effort that you get from guys who get to know their game.
“They’re young guys and their consistency will come.
“It’s exciting to see guys at the start of their career.”
Maxwell is the highest-profile player of the trio after landing a $1 million deal at last Sunday’s Indian Premier League auction when he was snapped up by Mumbai Indians.
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February 11th 2013 @ 9:47am
formeropenside said | February 11th 2013 @ 9:47am | Report comment
Whoever wins a test spot out of those three, Australian cricket loses.
February 11th 2013 @ 9:54am
Pope Paul VII said | February 11th 2013 @ 9:54am | Report comment
laughin’
February 11th 2013 @ 9:52am
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 9:52am | Report comment
Most news outlets reporting it is a done deal that Australia will play Wade at 6 and one of these muppets at 7. So guess who will miss out?
February 11th 2013 @ 10:25am
Rob Barrow said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Red Kev i know you are alluding that Khawaja will miss out but i am not sure, i think it will come down to the warm up games and if Khawaja scores there we will pick him as Cowan is under serious pressure from Watto. No doubt for me that Watto should open and Khawaja should be at 4.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:14am
Disco said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Khawaja will miss out. Maxwell is a farce of a Test cricketer.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:25pm
Varun said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
I don’t think khawaja will miss out, he will out perform Cowan in the warm up games and will bat at 4 which will allow Watson to open
February 11th 2013 @ 1:36pm
Brian said | February 11th 2013 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
I tip Khawaja will outperform Cowan in the warm up games and then Khawaja will miss out
February 11th 2013 @ 1:51pm
Disco said | February 11th 2013 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
Indeed. Khawaja should not have missed out against India last summer, but it still happened.
February 11th 2013 @ 2:48pm
Sanjay said | February 11th 2013 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Guys agree with you that Khawaja should outperform Cowan but the selectors will get him in, Inevarity said that he is a very good chance for the first test.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:21pm
Just Short of a Length said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:21pm | Report comment
Easy on about Maxwell, he’s the most graceful cricketer to ever pick up a shovel and play international cricket, I’m sure all that technique will help him bat out a full day of test cricket
February 11th 2013 @ 10:05am
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:05am | Report comment
I could have told you that. The first couple of tour games will be a play-off between Maxwell and Henriques. I don’t think Smith’s int he mix for that no.7 spot because he’s not bowling enough.
To a lesser extent, it’ll also be a playoff between Cowan and Khawaja, and also between a few of the quicks. Siddle will be one, but they may play a total of 2 or 3 quicks, so you have Pattinson, Bird and Starc fighting for 1-2 spots. Even Johno bowled pretty well last night, and even his biggest critics have to admit he’s in a lot better shape physically and mentally than he was a year ago. He seems to bowl less of the cracker balls, but most of the tripe is gone too.
February 11th 2013 @ 10:46am
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:46am | Report comment
It is no secret that I’m no Johnson fan (tattooed tosser that he is), but he has been bowling well since his recall to the national set up. Johnson is no longer tearing though batting lineups but instead of bowling tripe while waiting for that magic spell he is bowling good deliveries.
He appears to have more control than Starc. It is almost as if Starc is where Johnson used to be – capable of destroying lineups but also bowling a lot of loose stuff.
Given that when you look at our bowlers they are light on test experience Bird (2), Pattinson (7), Starc (7) it seems likely that Johnson (50) will play at least a couple of tests in India.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:05am
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:05am | Report comment
I think Starc’s got better control now than Johnson did at his nadir.
I also think Starc when on fire is more dangerous than Johnson ever was. And Starc is on fire more often.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:33am
Disco said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Yes, I agree Starc’s more dangerous.With bat as well as ball in hand.
And Johnson does still bowl some tripe.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:36am
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Not much, and far less than Starc
He is still the 5th or 6th paceman in my opinion, but you can’t deny that he is playing well. He’ll probably get replaced by Cummins in a few years if the young man can sort out his injuries, but for now I don’t mind Johnson.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:45am
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:45am | Report comment
You know I watched a bit of the Poms playing a T20 agaist the Kiwis on the weekend. Finn and Broad were playing for the Poms. For all the talk about swing bowling, they both seem more hit the deck type bowlers. And why all the fanfare about Finn? He was good – pretty tall, decent pace, but not hugely impressive.
SA have a far better bowling lineup for mine. And I can certainly see Pattinson< Siddle, Bird, Starc and even Johnson being the equal of anything the Poms can throw at us.
Top order and spinners is where we could struggle. If Clarke bats 5, Watson 6 and Wade 7, our middle order is better. Having said that I'd bat Clarke at 4 and I don't know that I'd have Wade keeping.
No one mentioning Fawad yet as a spinning option? He's a good bowler. Has he played any Shield games for the Vics yet?
February 11th 2013 @ 11:53am
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:53am | Report comment
If you want to evaluate bowlers as test match threats you don’t watch T20.
SA bowl only one of Philander, Steyn and Morkel in any given T20 match.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:15pm
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
I realise that, but if Starc played a T20 you’d be able to see how he could be a test match threat.
February 11th 2013 @ 1:52pm
Disco said | February 11th 2013 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
I think you’re underrating the English seamers somewhat – although, sure, South Africa has a better attack in Steyn, Philander, Morkel and Kallis.
And let’s focus on Tests, shall we? Hit and giggle doesn’t mean much.
Finn is much more proven than, say, Pattinson.
Anderson is a far better bowler than any of the Aussies.
Broad, although he’s struggled with injury and form of late, is relatively experienced and has Ashes success to draw on.
None of them have the demons Johnson will have to confront.
Outside of Anderson, Broad and Finn, I rate Onions very highly, especially in English conditions. Whether he’ll get m chance is another matter. The likes of Woakes and Harris could possibly feature. I don’t imagine Tremlett will be fit enough, whilst Bresnan needs to sort his form and fitness out.
February 11th 2013 @ 9:12pm
Rob Barrow said | February 11th 2013 @ 9:12pm | Report comment
I strongly feel Watson can be Australia’s opener in tests no matter he bowls of not. Gives him a chance to go back to opeing Can think of bigger role as bowler. . As he was a opener, he can also build innings of in crisis.. With Australia having Warner and Watson who can open, it just makes Khawaja’s move to 4 easier. Warner, Watson, Hughes, Khawaja, Clarke, Henriques, Wade and 4 bowlers. Let us leave alone the averages and all the stuffs. Had stats as opener been used as yardstick to pick opener, not many would have opened in international cricket. Likes of Sehwag, Sachin, Sanath, Gilchrist were never openers in their domestic team
February 11th 2013 @ 10:14am
Pope Paul VII said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Maybe Smithy is in career defining territory, the other two, hardly. They can’t lose, even though Australia can as FOS beautifully put it.
Even then Smith is only mid 20s and has been selected as a batsman reserve, so he has to behind UTK at this point, although no one is ever behind him.
But the deal is done, One of Mad Maxy or Moises will play.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:27pm
Varun said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
Yes you are right, smith is behind UTK so the all rounder fight will be between Maxwrll and Henriques
February 11th 2013 @ 10:21am
Brendon said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:21am | Report comment
I’d like someone to ask Maxwell, why on the last ball of the one dayer just after Clarke got out, when he only needed one run could he not play something like a cover drive, maybe a cut shot, or a pull shot, a hook shot possibly…..you know, an actual cricket shot instead of just playing something that resembled a baseball shot/slog. I’m not sure he can play cricket shots, he looks like he has a decent eye, but why not try something classy instead of just being a slugger?
Is this the way cricket is going, is he the future template for cricketers now? I saw Voges last night and he looked like a good technical player, Bailey can play a lot of shots yet we have Maxwell and Smith on the Indian tour. Seeing the perfect cover drive is one of the best things about cricket, is it going the way of the dinosaur?
Was interesting to hear Mike Hussey talking about earning your spot in the commentary box last night, appears he’s not a fan of the current CA policy. Would be interesting to know how many players actually played for Oz this year in all forms, anyone know exactly?
February 11th 2013 @ 10:28am
Rob Barrow said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:28am | Report comment
Mike Hussey knows that selectors have kicked D Huss out so Maxwell can get a go. I am not sure Maxwell is ready for test cricket, neither his batting or. bowling is good enough for test but he is a good T20 player. I am hoping this will be our lineup for the first test. Watson, Warner, Hughes, Khawaja, Clarke, Wade, Henriques, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc, Lyon.
February 11th 2013 @ 2:49pm
Sanjay said | February 11th 2013 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
Well said Rob
February 11th 2013 @ 10:25am
Bearfax said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Khawaja has two matches (hopefully they’ll select him for both) to prove his worth. The conditions are ideal for him but he must score big like Hughes did to get a spot. Playing Wade at No 6 is a big mistake unless the only all rounder with creditable batting averages , Steve Smith, is there. But I think he’s third in line in the all rounders so I see Australia’s batting line up significantly weakened. Even when Australia had Gilchrist as wicket keeper, he almost always batted No 7, and that was with a far stronger batting line up. Wade is a good batsman but he’s no Gilchrist, so bringing him back to 6 when Australia has a weaker batting line up makes absolutely no sense. This is especially the case if Maxwell or to a lesser extent Henriques is selected. Both are fragile with the bat and I doubt that their bowling will have much impact against the Indians. But Australia has not brought over enough batting strength and the thought that Khawaja is likely to miss out for Cowen, if Watson is given opening rights, is just too ordinary to consider. Best that I can see is regretably
Watson
Warner
Hughes
Clarke
Khawaja
Wade
Henriques
Siddle
Starc
Bird (or Doherty)
Lyons
Johnson (12th)
February 11th 2013 @ 11:09am
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:09am | Report comment
“Wade is a good batsman but he’s no Gilchrist”
Bearfax, you’d get almost universal support for this statement.
However, Gilly ended up with a test average of about 51. Wade averages around 43, on the up. Wade is a good batsman, as you say.
I just wish he was a better keeper or could improve. I’m not sure he can. However I don’t think it’d be impossible for him to have a test batting average of high 40s in 18 months.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:13am
formeropenside said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:13am | Report comment
But if his keeping does not improve, he should not get 18 months to improve his batting average.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:34am
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:34am | Report comment
True. It’s a tough one there.
His glovework remains what I would describe as unrefined or messy. He is not neat or unobtrusive, like the better ones.
I guess he should improve as he works more, but what has he been doing for the last couple of years?
If his glovework doesn’t improve, he loses the keeper spot. He then either gets dumpedout of the team or, if he’s one of the best 6 test batsmen in the country, he plays as a specialist batsman.
February 11th 2013 @ 9:16pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | February 11th 2013 @ 9:16pm | Report comment
Hard not to consider Wade’s batting amongst the top six in the country when his Test average is higher than the Shield averages of most of his ‘contenders’…
February 11th 2013 @ 9:16pm
Rob Barrow said | February 11th 2013 @ 9:16pm | Report comment
BearBass i think you will find that Khawaja will outscore Cowan in the warm up matches and will get the spot in the first test. I like the feel of the batting lineup alot more with Watson and Warner at the top and Khawaja at 6. Cowan had 13 tests but he hasn’t proven himself.
February 12th 2013 @ 7:16am
Bearfax said | February 12th 2013 @ 7:16am | Report comment
Ah Barrowman. The confidence of fandom. Were it so simple. I hope your sentiments are justified
February 11th 2013 @ 10:52pm
Sanjay said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
Bearfax couln’t agree with you more bud. We just lost our best batsman in Mike Hussey so how does it make sense to replace him with a keeper at 6 and half baked allrounders at 7. What you need is a solid batsman such as Khawaja or Ferguson(who should hvae been in the squad) at 6. My pick would be Khawaja, this would allow Cowan to prove his worth in the India series but i don’t think he will. Hopefully we go with the team you have listed as it gives us the best chance to win but i think we won’t and will have to learn the hard way that we can’t have wade batting at 6.
February 11th 2013 @ 10:51am
Justin2 said | February 11th 2013 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Geez we are looking ordinary from a batting perspective! Do we not have 6 decent ones and Wade as keeper?
February 11th 2013 @ 11:07am
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Not when we have to squeeze an all rounder into our top 7, regardless of credentials.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:15am
Timmuh said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:15am | Report comment
No, we don’t. Even if we played our best keeper, Wade would be close to batting at six (probably not quite, until Watson comes home early). The batting really is that poor at Test level.
That said, we can still do better than playing no-rounders such as Maxwell or Smith at this point in their careers.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:15am
langou said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:15am | Report comment
I would go in with 6 bats, a keeper, two fast bowlers and two spinners. Lyon is obviously our number one spinner and so it comes down to a choice between Doherty and Maxwell for the second spot.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:24am
Felix said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:24am | Report comment
That’s a big workload you’re asking of the two quicks on the first day! That line-up would be spot on of Glass Man Watson was trundling in a few overs…or if UT Khawaja had worked on his medium pacers a bit more.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:33am
Justin2 said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Dont forget Wade for a few overs
February 11th 2013 @ 11:39am
Timmuh said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Not a bad idea, have Lyon on from the other end and not much is lost with the gloves either.
February 11th 2013 @ 5:00pm
langou said | February 11th 2013 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
When in Rome
Give em five overs each with the new ball and bang, 80 overs of spin
February 11th 2013 @ 11:32am
Timmuh said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:32am | Report comment
Even if highly spin friendly conditions, the second spinner on the tour is not as good a our third (or even fifth) seamer. Even on a raging turner, with the squad picked I would have only one spinner and three seamers. That might be different had O’Keefe been chosen in the squad, or Beer available.
I suspect Maxwell will play though; leaving five batsman, Wade, three seamers, Lyon, and a position wasted on an all-rounder who isn’t.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:33am
jamesb said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Why do I get the feeling, the selectors are regreting not selecting Bailey in the squad.
Bailey has been terrific in the ODI’s. Selectors looked at his stats this season, and thought he was out of form. However, here is an interesting comparison:
M.Clarke 173 runs, 3 matches, 6 inns, ave 34.60
G.Bailey 169 runs, 4 matches, 6 inns, ave 28.16
not much in it.
Also Bailey’s home ground, Bellerive, has been known for having some dicey decks. Meanwhile:
S.Smith 296 runs, 5 matches, 8 inns, ave 37.00.
As you can see, Smithy’s not exactly setting the Shield alight with his run scoring.
I wish Bailey went to India, instead of Smith.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:43am
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Yes I think them overlooking Bailey for the likes of Maxwell, Smith and Henriques is a grounds for firing the lot of them.
Watson, Warner, Hughes, Khawaja, Clarke, Bailey is a good batting lineup.
Warner and Clarke can bowl good spinners for a few overs. Khawaja offers a couple of overs of military mediums in the mould of M.Hussey or R.Quiney. And once Watson is fit he offers half a dozen overs an innings of partnership-breaking medium pacers. In a 90 over day those four offer 10 overs of relief for the four frontline bowlers, which is plenty.
The NSP’s obsession with a bits-and-pieces player at no.7 is weakening Australian cricket.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:28pm
Varun said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
Red kev I like that lineup with watto at opener, khawaja at 4 and bailey at 6
February 11th 2013 @ 1:24pm
Craig2 said | February 11th 2013 @ 1:24pm | Report comment
Yep I agree that is our best batting line up at the moment.
February 11th 2013 @ 1:51pm
Brian said | February 11th 2013 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
If Bailey was in who would captain the T20 team on Wednesday? You could hardly put him in the squad and give him no opportunity to stake a claim?
Alos its not my way but if your not going to play Khawaja you hardly need Bailey.
February 11th 2013 @ 3:08pm
jamesb said | February 11th 2013 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
Red Kev, I like that batting line up.
It could used for the Ashes. Wait and see.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:29pm
Just Short of a Length said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:29pm | Report comment
Best batting order I’ve seen in a while, not to mention four out of the six there can at some point contribute with the ball, might be time to let the all rounders prove themselves before they get thrust into a test spot.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:42am
Justin2 said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:42am | Report comment
Why Faulkner isnt in this squad is completely bemusing. He would be a very handy bowler with his cutters and slower balls IMO. He is better as an all rounder than these three blokes selected.
February 11th 2013 @ 11:51am
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 11:51am | Report comment
Faulkner is a good limited overs bowler who can swing the bat a bit; he is not an “allrounder”.
As a long form bowler though he is a long way behind Siddle, Bird, Pattinson, Starc, Johnson and Cutting in my opinion (not to mention Harris). Faulkner would be level with Coulter-Nile in evaluations for a test berth to my mind.
There are no limited overs matches to be played in India so why would Faulkner be picked? He’ll be on the plane to England for the Champion’s Trophy.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:14pm
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
I agree with that assessment Kev of where Faulkner sits in the pecking order, though the guy’s got an impressive FC average. There’s a top 6 or so, but he’s at the next level.
He’s a more reliable bat than any of the others too. I think he needs to become a test no.7 level bat and for Wade to average mid-40s. However the return of Watson’s bowling would make him redundant.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:30pm
James said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Personally, I think that having say Faulkner, Cutting and Starc at 7,8 and 9 would more than make up for any other batsmen that we could have at number 6
February 11th 2013 @ 12:14pm
James said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
Why do you think Faulkner is a limited overs bowler?
Faulkner’s first class record
30 matches, 107 wickets at an average of 22.82. Batting average of 27.13
Starc’s first class record (excluding tests)
24 matches 68 wickets at 32. Batting average of around 20
Cutting
30 matches, 119 wickets at an average of 24.77. Batting average of 26.7
February 11th 2013 @ 1:05pm
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 1:05pm | Report comment
Faulkner is a limited overs specialist because that is the type of bowling he does best. Variations, tempting batsmen into a mistake as they push for runs, similar to McKay. Faulkner’s overall first-class record is good but his last two seasons aren’t a patch on those delivered by Bird and Cutting.
Last two seasons of shield cricket:
Faulkner 16 matches, 60 wickets @ 23.7 striking every 45.8 balls.
Bird 14 matches, 80 wickets @ 17.5 striking every 36.1 balls.
Cutting 13 matches, 58 wickets @ 18.8 striking every 35.9 balls.
He’s still good, but as I said, not in the top 8 bowlers I would name as test or test-fringe quality.
February 11th 2013 @ 2:36pm
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
Geez that’s pretty good form Kev. He’s not much behind Bird and Cutting on that basis.
I think it’s fair to say he should be in the mix. He might be behind Cutting, but not by much.
Also, how many Shield games have you watched him in? He bowls a mixture of slower balls in T20 and ODI’s because they’re T20s and ODIs. I’ve seen him swing the new ball both ways, depending on which way the wind is going.
He’s a good, consistent cricketer and I think should be in the test squad within 2-3 years.
February 11th 2013 @ 3:06pm
Red Kev said | February 11th 2013 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
5 runs of average and 10 balls of strike rate is a pretty big gulf statistically – it is enough to put him as your or someone else mentioned above in the second tier of bowlers, whereas both Bird and Cutting are in the first tier in my opinion.
He’s a decent bowler but putting him in the test squad now would not be as beneficial as letting him bowl and develop at first class level. Is he a better swing merchant than Starc or Johnson? No. Is he a better hit the deck and seam it bowler than Siddle or Cutting? No. Is he more consistent than Bird? No. Is he more intimidating than Pattinson? No. Faulkner just doesn’t warrant a place at the moment.
Of that list Starc, Johnson, Pattinson, Siddle and Cutting all bat at a similar level to Faulkner, only Bird is a genuine tailender.
ODIs are different, players than can average 25-30 with both bat and ball are useful (important even) in the limited overs matches, in test matches they are liabilities. Faulkner may carry on like a bit of a tool but he and McKay are formidable bowlers especially when defending in a run chase and so ODI bowlers I would keep them for now.
February 11th 2013 @ 3:21pm
Justin2 said | February 11th 2013 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
RK – You make some fair observations and he may or may not be as good based on that criteria but perhaps he is second best on all fronts because he keeps getting wickets.
At the end of the day regardless of whether you hit the deck, swing the ball, cut the ball you still need to take wickets.
February 11th 2013 @ 3:19pm
Justin2 said | February 11th 2013 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
Red he is a better prospect than the 3 “all rounders” going to India.
His first class record is excellent, pigeon holing him as a short form specialist is wrong. His record stands up.
I see you have Cutting and Bird there as comparison and I rate those guys highly.
I guess my point is he has been completely put aise for test aspirations when his record is better than just about all the bowlers going around at the moment and his batting is more than handy.
Why has Starc got the love and not this bloke for instance or Johnson getting more love?
I just think the guy has been very stiff as has Cutting.
February 12th 2013 @ 12:41am
lolly said | February 12th 2013 @ 12:41am | Report comment
I don’t think Faulkner has been put aside. He’s still pretty young and has only just been given decent opportunities for Aus. If he keep impressing, I’m sure he’ll get a shot at test cricket. Let’s face it. most of our bowlers are made of glass apart from Johnson, so Faulkner will be in the mix in the next year for a test spot I’m sure.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:12pm
jameswm said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
I can’t argue with that. In 3-4 ODIs he’s made handy contributions with the bat twice from memory. The only two times he’s been asked to. Who would you rather coming in at 7-8 to save us in a test or ODI – Faulkner or Maxwell? Because Faulkner is by far the better bowler of the two.
February 11th 2013 @ 12:20pm
Timmuh said | February 11th 2013 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
Seamers aren’t in short supply. Spinners are. Smith and Maxwell are presumably there to give that option, at he risk of hopelessly compromising the batting (unless they are going to bat at eight and hopelessly compromise the bowling).
Henriques’ inclusion, l can not explain.