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Everyone knew it was going to be a tough task beating New Zealand in their own backyard.
These days, the visiting team always seems to have a much tougher time than they really should.
Players seem to struggle to adjust and find their rhythm, which is always why you pick the players that are in good touch and know where their game is at.
Watching Australia go down by 159 runs in the opening ODI at Eden Park further backed the argument by many of the Australian public that Rod Marsh and his crew got the team selection wrong.
The squad seemed to lack variety with the ball and real assurance at the top of the order with the bat. It wasn’t a poor team fielded by the selectors, but there were certainly cases to be made for a couple of players that missed out.
Both Usman Khawaja and Adam Zampa were wrong to be ignored for the opener. After watching that game it was evident where those two could have had a potential impact.
Starting with Khawaja, we are talking about a man who couldn’t be in any better form if he tried. People involved in cricket talk about knocking on the door for selection. Well it would be fair to say that Khawaja has knocked down several doors and to not be picked is just an absolute joke.
The amazing part is that everyone else can see it, but why can’t the selectors? You don’t ignore anyone when they are in the form Khawaja is in.
Since the start of the Australian Test series which begun against New Zealand back in November, Khawaja has scores in all forms of cricket of 174, 9*, 121, 109*, 144, 56, 62, 104*, 70 and 14.
Is cricket even picked on form anymore? This whole phrase of ‘if you score runs then you will be rewarded’ seems to have completely gone out the door. There is nothing more infuriating seeing someone scoring so freely and bringing a real calmness to the crease like Khawaja is, but he can’t show it because he is left to run the drinks.
It was one of those days for Australia with the bat. Being 6-41 trying to get to 308, they didn’t really stand a chance. It just increased the pressure on Rod Marsh. They are obviously a hell lot better than what they showed, but the disappointing run chase has to see Khawaja included come the second game.
One non selection that wasn’t discussed enough was Zampa. I’m not sure what has happened to Australia playing a front line spinner in ODIs, but it rarely seems to happen these days.
Australia won a World Cup a year ago playing Glenn Maxwell as the part timer, but surely that isn’t how the Australian selectors are thinking long term?
There were times during the opener that you could see Zampa coming on and doing his thing. The problem Steve Smith was faced with was a lack of variety. Having pace coming in over after over really gave him a lack of options.
Luckily for the sake of selection panel, the quicks were able to peg back the New Zealand batsmen after both Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill got the Kiwis off to a flyer.
If the Aussie quicks weren’t able to stop New Zealand then it would have further backed the argument that Zampa should have played, but I still remain in the state of mind despite the fightback Zampa should have taken part in this game.
Australia needs a spinner in the shorter forms of the game. They are game changers and game winners. They offer something completely different – especially a leg-spinner.
Having watched Zampa from when he first came on the scene, he’s a young man who doesn’t show any fear. His improvement has been tremendous. His success has mainly come in the shorter formats of the game back at state cricket.
Representing the Melbourne Stars this year in the BBL, he was the leading wicket taker for the team with 12 at an economy rate of 7.08. He finished in the top ten for the BBL competition in the wickets department.
He displayed his variety right throughout. The leg-spinner, the wrong-un and the slider were the balls that he went to regularly to bring him success in the BBL.
If there was one thing Australia could of used at parts of the opening game at Eden Park, it was Zampa’s variety and consistency.
The New Zealand batsmen just got far too comfortable against the quicks and it was evident at the rate they scored at times throughout the innings. Yes they eventually pulled it back, but that won’t always happen. There will be times that a front line spinner will be required to slow the game down and drag back a couple of wickets.
It’s also important to look towards the future. Australia won’t get away with playing part time spinners. While the next ODI World Cup is a while away, getting overs into young spinners such as Zampa will only be beneficial in the future.
I’m not sure what the selectors’ plans are going into the T20 World Cup, but I think Zampa will certainly be in the discussions for the squad. Why not have a look at him now and give him a taste of international cricket against a quality side?
There are many positives in giving Zampa a go and, like Khawaja, he deserves his chance.
With the selectors under fire from the public it might be a good idea to reassess the side for Wellington.
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