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Moises Henriques’ brilliant century in the Sheffield Shield final should have vaulted him back into contention for the Test side.
Australia clearly place a high value on having an all-rounder in the Test side and, with Shane Watson soon to turn 33 and plagued by injuries, a position could open up in the middle order at any time.
Henriques’ 140 against Western Australia in the Shield final was the finest knock of his career. Soon after he arrived at the crease in the first innings, NSW found themselves on their knees at 6-189. By the time he departed, the Blues were 9-440 and had almost batted the Warriors out of the match.
It was an innings of admirable patience and composure, spanning more than seven hours. He first blunted and then subjugated WA’s robust attack.
This innings brought his batting return over the past two Shield seasons to 737 runs at 61, including three centuries from just nine games. That record compares favourably with any Test batting prospect in the country. The 27-year-old’s efforts are truly remarkable when you factor in his 20 wickets at 24 in that period.
The timing of his man-of-the-match performance in the Shield final could scarcely have been better. Having dropped Peter Siddle, the Australians have signaled a possible move towards an ultra-aggressive specialist pace trio.
Siddle was axed due to his reduction in pace and penetration and replaced by firebrand James Pattinson.
All-out-attack with the ball was the foundation of Australia’s startling achievements in the Test series against England and South Africa last summer. If they wish to further exploit this strategy by fielding three aggressive quicks in each Test then a reliable fifth bowling option will be crucial.
The move of Shane Watson to six was designed to allow him to bowl more overs. But the burly all-rounder could fall over at any moment. Given the amount of cricket he plays as a key performer for Australia in all three formats and for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, Watson is likely to succumb to another long-term injury sooner rather than later.
If Australia were looking for a like-for-like replacement in the Test side, Henriques is the obvious choice at this stage.
Glenn Maxwell is making a push for Test selection and enjoyed a stellar Shield campaign last summer which saw him named in the Shield team of the year. But as a bowler, Maxwell is the opposite of Watson and Henriques – unpredictable and often expensive. For the moment, his bowling may not fit the Australian strategy, except in Tests played on dry wickets.
James Faulkner, meanwhile, was anointed by Darren Lehmann as Watson’s backup in the wake of the failed Ashes tour of England last year. But, as I argued recently, Faulkner is the best first-class cricketer outside the Test side but does not have an obvious position in the line-up.
With a first-class average of just 31, and no centuries to his name, he is unlikely to be considered a long-term option at six at this stage. The other avenue would be to bat him at seven, with the wicketkeeper at six in the coming years.
However, given Brad Haddin is close to retirement, would the selectors then want a new ‘keeper to have to try to adapt to Tests with the added pressure of batting in the top six? It seems unlikely. That may leave Henriques as the frontrunner to earn another crack at Test cricket should Watson’s body give up on him.
His first stint donning the baggy green was punctuated by stark performances. On debut against India last year he was a revelation with the blade, registering 68 and 81 not out. Both innings were compiled when Australia was in crisis.
From that joyous high he quickly descended into repeated failure, scraping together just seven runs in his next four innings before being dropped from the team for the fourth Test.
Henriques was undone in his second two Tests by accurate spin bowling on dusty decks. But he was not alone – David Warner, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Wade and Brad Haddin all averaged 25 or less for the series, as Australia were smashed 4-0.
Facing a spin-heavy Indian attack on parched pitches designed to heighten their potency is as tough a Test as a debutant can face. Henriques is worthy of a second crack at Test cricket.