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The latest Sheffield Shield round has been run and done.
Victoria extended their lead at the top of the Table with a convincing five-wicket win over South Australia, while Queensland made inroads up the table with a 97 run win over last-placed Western Australia and New South Wales failed to secure maximum points against the youthful Tasmania.
Today I’m running my eye over the guys who are on the Fringe of Selection. Those guys who have recently been dropped from the Test Side or are on the selectors’ radars.
Queensland v Western Australia
Joe Burns: 68 and 38
Mitch Marsh: 14 and 0, 2/74 and 4/38
Ashton Agar: DNB and; 5, 2/84 and 1/65
Both Joe Burns and Mitch Marsh had reasonable games. However, probably not the type of games that are going to place them in a position to threaten an immediate return to the Australia side. Burns had a solid contribution with the bat in both innings, but would have been disappointed not to go on and make a big score.
Mitch Marsh, while showing some really good signs with the ball, yet again struggled with the bat – having little impact. He was caught behind in the first innings and cleaned up in the second. Yet again he was let down by his technique.
Ashton Agar returned from injury and saw limited results, however will be better for the run and no doubt looking to improve in the next round.
Tasmania v New South Wales
Kurtis Patterson: 71 and 26*
Moises Henriques: 115 and DNB, 1/19 and 0/13* breaking down with a side strain.
Peter Nevill: 179* and DNB, 5 dismissals first innings
George Bailey: 0 and 35
James Faulkner: 6 and 100*, 2/35 and 1/26
Kurtis Patterson and Peter Nevill were the big winners to come out of this game. With his name up in lights already, Patterson only consolidated his chances of selection. His consistency with the bat certainly putting him in good stead with a tour of India not too far in the future.
Peter Nevill, having been dropped for his lack of runs, really made the selectors look a little bit silly with a tremendous 179* in New South Wales’ first innings. His keeping continues to be of the highest standard and certainly should still be in the picture for Australian selection, especially with a tour of the Sub Continent ahead. His ability with the gloves will continue to be a talking point when it comes to selection.
James Faulkner was able to finally crack it for a first class ton. Saving his maiden century for a very important moment when the game hung in the balance. With Tasmania looking down and out, Faulkner was able to work with young up and comer Beau Webster to forge a match saving partnership that withstood NSW’s push for maximum points.
The biggest losers from a selection point of view in this game were George Bailey and Moises Henriques. Bailey’s chances of re-selection probably hang with the impending four Test Series in India, due to his strong ability to play spin. However, recently his form in Australia is certainly not putting him a great position to be considered for that tour.
While Henriques batted extremely well and scored a great hundred, his chances will be hurt by the fact that’s he’s yet again injured himself and is looking at more time on the sidelines. He joins a long list of players who have been significantly impacted by injuries and put a real question mark on his future in the Australian setup.
Victoria v South Australia
Marcus Stoinis: 2 and 11, 0/31 and 3/45
Glen Maxwell: 6 and 29, 0/28 and 1/9
Scott Boland: 30 and DNB, 3/98 and 0/38
Jon Holland: 28* and DNB, 1/59 and 4/25
Callum Ferguson: 5 and 24
Travis Head: 130 and 52, 0/14 and 0/18
Joe Mennie: 5 and 0, 4/64 and 2/44
Chadd Sayers: 2 and 14*, 2/81 and 0/59
Travis Head was the real winner here of those currently considered possible selection chances in the Australian Team. Head continued his good form and showed his leadership with scores of 130 and 52, playing pretty much single-handedly saving South Australia’s first innings. Unfortunately, Callum Ferguson and Chadd Sayers were unable to provide him with much support throughout the game.
Joe Mennie continued his consistent Shield form with another six wickets for the match. For Victoria, Jon Holland was the best performer of the possibles. His four-wicket haul in the second innings ensured Victoria had a relatively easy fourth innings run chase.
Unfortunately for Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis they were unable to enhance their selection cases due to both having poor games.
While the recent shake-up of the Test side has introduced some young talent, I’ve also had a quick look at a few possible future stars and whether they’ve put their best foot forward for a Matt Renshaw type run from the clouds selection.
Queensland v Western Australia
Jack Wildermuth: 93 and 9, 1/40 and 1/24
Mitchell Swepson: 25 and DNB, 2/108 and 3/56
Cameron Bancroft: 103 and 19
Hilton Cartwright: 84 and 41, 0/32 and 1/29
Sam Whiteman: 31 and 5, 2 dismissals, one in each innings
While those guys who have been either in the Australian Team recently or discussed as possible inclusions at one stage or other didn’t shine too brightly in the Queensland and WA game, a few of the younger brigade certainly put their best foot forward.
Strong performances from Cameron Bancroft with a first-innings hundred, Hilton Cartwright with healthy scores in both innings and a strong first innings knock from Jack Wildermuth highlighted some options for selectors going forward. Especially if they continue to go down the road of youth promotion.
Mitchell Swepson continued to show his development and rise in the first class ranks, helping himself to three wickets in Western Australia’s second innings. Including making the prized breakthrough of Ashton Turner in what was looking like a possibly match-winning partnership for WA.
Unfortunately, Sam Whiteman was unable to back up his outstanding last Shield outing, but continued to contribute for Western Australia with another solid display behind the stumps.
Victoria v South Australia
Jake Weatherald: 88 and 8
Jake Lehmann: 2 and 28
Adam Zampa: 12 and 15, 2/102 and 0/37
Travis Dean: 46 and 20
Marcus Harris: 18 and 34
Chris Tremain: 20 and DNB, 4/91 and 1/11
South Australian opener Jake Weatherald continued his good start the season making a solid 88 in South Australia’s first innings. Fellow young gun Jake Lehmann failed to match him. He failed in the first dig, while he got a start in the second and was unable to kick on to a big score.
For Victoria, Travis Dean and Marcus Harris both had okay games, but would have liked to have kicked on in both their innings of which they threw away starts.
In the bowling department, Chris Tremain continues to show his talent and development – he looked by far the most dangerous bowler in this game. Tremain tookg four wickets and got through a lot of overs in the first innings while making an important breakthrough early in the second.
Tasmania v NSW
Daniel Hughes: 30 and 33
Beau Webster: 41 and 80*, 0/64
Beau Webster continued to show his worth in the latest Shield round. Rewarded for his good form last season, Webster was given a taste of Australia A cricket in the recent Far North Tour. He combined with James Faulkner to help Tasmania avoid outright defeat at the hands of NSW with a vital 80* in the second innings.
Daniel Hughes has been in good form in both formats for NSW this summer and continued his good form here. While he didn’t go on for a big score, Hughes got off to handy starts in both digs and continues to look the goods opening the batting for NSW.
The question for a lot of these guys is now being able to back up these strong performances in the next round of Shield games starting on Monday. With the Big Bash fast approaching they don’t have too many opportunities to show they are ready to make the next step.
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