Just like politicians eagerly scanning the results of opinion polls before they make any policy decision, the selectors of the Australian cricket team are bowing to the weight of public opinion. This is my only explanation to the selection of Andrew Symonds and Dave Warner in the national team.
Symonds was rushed back into the team, after being dropped for poor discipline from the squad that toured India last year. His performances against New Zealand and South Africa were poor and his drunken appearance on Roy and HG’s radio show demonstrate that he has experienced a further decline in his behaviour.
The Australian selectors have shown an amazing amount of leniency towards Symonds.
For starters, he has long been trumpeted as an all-rounder, but he should be regarded as a batting all-rounder at best. In addition, his batting has probably never reached Test match standard – he is a one day specialist who filled a vacancy in the Test team and made a couple of big scores against mediocre attacks.
The major reason for Symonds’ constant inclusion in the Australian team is that he is immensely popular with the public. His strapping figure and limited vocabulary taps into Australia’s inner yobbo.
Who wasn’t amused when Symonds knocked over that streaker last year? He is a pure, unadulterated man of action, but his popularity shouldn’t gift him a place in the side.
The selection of Dave Warner in the one day team was also inspired by public opinion.
Despite not being included in the original squad, Warner’s headline-grabbing 89 against South Africa in the first Twenty20 game at the MCG propelled him into the one day team. Warner is definitely talented, but he lacks experience after playing only twelve one day matches for NSW.
And it is experience that Australia desperately needs at the moment.
Victoria’s Brad Hodge may not be popular, but he has already played 25 one day matches for Australia, with a top score of 123. That comes with 220 matches at first class level with an average of around 41.
Instead of gasping over Warner’s sixes and Symonds’ drunken antics, the Australian public should be demanding that Hodge be on a plane to South Africa in March for what promises to be a grueling one day series.
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