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Doolan's ton should cement Test spot

17th October, 2014
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Alex Doolan is struggling with spin. AFP PHOTO/William WEST
Expert
17th October, 2014
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A lot of people don’t rate Alex Doolan. When punters and pundits have been nominating their Australian XI for the first Test against Pakistan starting on Wednesday, Doolan has often been absent.

Many of his critics point to the Tasmanian’s underwhelming first-class record of 3788 runs at 39, with just seven centuries from 60 matches.

However, now that he’s an incumbent in the Test side, that is largely irrelevant. Once the selectors decide a player has the requisite ability and temperament to don the baggy green, he should be given sufficient time to prove himself.

Doolan has had just three Tests. Those matches were away from home, in a massive series against the world’s number one Test side South Africa, and saw him bat at first drop opposed to the game’s most vaunted pace attack.

In other words, they were the three most difficult matches in which a new number three could play. Amid the intense competition of that series in South Africa, Doolan looked compact and composed against Proteas guns Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

His defence was tight, he played the ball late, he was unhurried and he was circumspect. These are crucial elements which must be boasted by a Test first drop. Preferably, your number three should also have the ability to take on attacks in the manner of South Africa’s Hashim Amla or Australian legend Ricky Ponting.

Doolan battled for fluency in South Africa amid his return of 186 runs at 31. However, with the number of strokemakers in the Australian top seven there is no need for a free-flowing first drop. Belligerent opener David Warner, versatile strokemakers Michael Clarke and Steve Smith, and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin all play with aggressive intent.

Australia can afford – in fact you could argue it needs – some dour defensive players in this mix. Chris Rogers has been a crucial cog in the Australian machine with his considered and patient batting.

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Australia’s biggest weakness has been its propensity for batting collapses, many of which have been the result of impatient, sometimes arrogant strokeplay. Considering all this, Doolan has the potential to be a good fit. It would be a gross mistake to jettison him after merely three tough Tests.

Plenty of people claim that young South Australian batsman Phil Hughes has been given a raw deal by the selectors. Yet Hughes was offered nine and 10 consecutive Tests respectively during his past two stints in the side.

Doolan surely deserves a similar run at international cricket, particularly when you consider there are no other batsmen in Australian cricket demanding to be chosen, apart from Hughes who would be getting his fifth crack at Tests.

Hughes is the man that many pundits and fans have nominated as their preferred number three for the Tests against Pakistan. His prolific run making in first-class and 50-over cricket in recent months had made him a worthy candidate. Doolan’s position in the side looked under threat.

But surely any doubt was erased by the Tasmanian’s timely unbeaten ton against Pakistan A in Sharjah on Thursday. Australia were in peril at 3-58 when he and Smith compiled a valuable partnership. Doolan was particularly impressive in his assertive approach to dealing with Pakistan A’s spinners.

He has a reputation as a commanding player of pace but has not been as fluent against the slow men in the Sheffield Shield. With spin expected to be a decisive factor in the two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, Doolan’s display should have cemented his place in the Test line-up.

Whether he can capitalise on such an opportunity only time will reveal. But he deserves more time than many Australian cricket followers are willing to give him.

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