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1. Does Hilfenhaus’ injury open the way for Mitchell Johnson’s return?
I didn’t agree with Johnson’s inclusion for the Perth Test. I felt that his selection meant that he had unfairly leapfrogged a few other bowlers from around the country.
Though, to be perfectly fair, my opinion was formed almost exclusively on watching highlights. The rest of my assessment was based purely on statistics, and just a touch of personal bias.
Statistics never tell the complete picture. Though conversely, it’s also irresponsible to ignore them completely.
In any case, Johnson was picked to play on the famous WACA wicket, and while he didn’t dominate, he bowled very well and was probably the pick of Australia’s bowlers. He also showed that he has lost none of his impressive athleticism by taking a couple of sensational catches.
It was therefore no surprise that he retained his place in the squad for the Hobart Test. Say what you will about his initial recall; you couldn’t begrudge him the right to stay there after his solid performance in Perth.
He was ultimately named 12th man in Hobart, and considering his record isn’t fantastic at Bellerive Oval, that signaled that while he wouldn’t play in the Test, he was most definitely the next cab off the (fast bowling) rank.
Which means Johnson is almost certain to play on Boxing Day in Melbourne, and probably in Sydney for the New Year’s Test, especially as there is no First-class cricket matches between now and then for other bowlers to push their own case.
Johnson will play, and I can’t really argue against it.
2. What’s going on with the management of Australia’s fast bowlers?
There are now quite a few buzzwords that accompany any discussion around Australia’s fast bowlers. ‘Rotation policy,’ ‘bowling restrictions,’ ‘sports science’ and ‘weight training’ are just a few.
I don’t pretend to be an expert in any of those fields, and it would be arrogant to therefore comment in any great detail about any of them.
What I can comment on is Glenn McGrath, one of the greatest fast bowlers to have ever hurled leather.
During the lunch break on Sunday, McGrath was asked about the rotation policy, and he said he had no issue with resting players for limited overs games, but he didn’t like bowlers missing Test matches.
He felt the best thing for him was staying in rhythm, and that missing a Test match would actually do him more harm than good. He also pointed out that he was healthy for 95% – or more – of his career.
It echoes the sentiments of West Indian great Courtney Walsh, who preferred to bowl all year round, thus including stints in county cricket from 1984 to 1998, to add to his domestic and international duties. Again, it’s worth pointing out that Walsh’s injury record was impeccable.
I don’t think we should dismiss research, studies and medical advancements. By the same token, we certainly shouldn’t dismiss the opinions and experience of previous fast bowlers either.
Human beings are complex physical specimens. Each and every one is different. It’s therefore madness to have blanket strategies for fast bowlers, because each case will be different.
Yet, while each Australian bowler has his own program, there remains blanket strategies employed by Cricket Australia in regards to the management of its bowlers; something Mitchell Starc questioned last week.
Pat Cummins, Ryan Harris, Josh Hazelwood, James Pattison, John Hastings, Trent Copeland and Ben Hilfenhaus. That’s quite the injury toll.
Perhaps it’s all just bad luck. After all, each injury of those listed above is different, so there is no immediate trend to pinpoint, analyse and come up with a solution for.
Or maybe, just maybe, the current system of managing our fast bowlers is not working.
Either way, it’s a discussion worth having.
3. Should Starc, Siddle or Johnson not be fit for the Boxing Day Test Match, who will be selected as the third fast bowler?
This question – and answer – could get very interesting.
Jackson Bird has the statistics. Ben Cutting has the fan club. Luke Feldman has a nice, tall, upright release. Gary Putland has plenty of potential. Doug Bollinger has played at the elite level before.
You could even rattles off names like Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Butterworth or James Faulkner. Or several other solid First-class performers.
However, I’m not sure how much longer Bird’s impressive numbers can be ignored. Wickets are a bowler’s currency, and he’s got 87 of them at 19.72.
Personally, I think he lacks the penetration required of a top flight Test quick, but he’s more than earned the right to firmly place egg on my face.