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Michael Clarke’s hamstring has gone ping again. And this time, it’s the other one. He will be 34 by the time the Ashes roll round again.
Oh, and his back isn’t in too great a shape either.
By the looks of things Shaun Marsh will be coming into Australia’s batting line-up for the second Test at the Gabba on Wednesday, though should this be the case?
If I am to carve up the current top seven (Clarke omitted) we look to have three guys who are young and in form – Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh – and three guys who have that ‘test know-how’.
These guys been around a bit and have that experience of what it takes to win a Test – Brad Haddin, Chris Rodgers and Shane Watson.
So where does S.Marsh fit into this equation? He isn’t young and isn’t in form so he doesn’t belong with the tyros. While he also isn’t especially experienced in the long format of the game.
So again, why are the selectors persisting with this line of thinking?
In 2006-07, Australia lost a core part of the side. Justin Langer and Damien Martyn left with Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist a couple of years later and Shane Warne the year before. What was left was a batting line up devoid of experience and ‘test nous’ – as breaking up that legendary team to blood some youngsters was previously unthinkable.
Australia’s batting hasn’t looked strong ever since.
So I ask the selectors this. Clarke’s unfortunate injury has given a three-Test window of opportunity in the Australian batting line-up. An internship if you will. Lets give a Joe Burns, a Ryan Carters, a Chris Lynn, a Nic Maddison or a Jordan Silk an audition in the Test setup.
Roll the dice and you may get lucky.
As an aside, I’ve not kept the sharpest of eyes on this year’s Shield competition so I’ll leave the deciding to you guys!
Worst case scenario is that one of these players gets three Tests worth of experience and pointers from teammates to take back to shield cricket when Clarke returns.
They will have benefitted greatly and will know what’s required if called upon for next years series in England.
Best case scenario is they flourish within the team and build confidence by filling their boots against a substandard Indian pace attack.
Even when Clarke does come back, we will have a replacement in case his body gives up again, while a young batsmen putting pressure on the likes of Watson and Rodgers can only be a good thing.
Either way, has to be better than Shaun Marsh?
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