Why Hughes and Jaques must go to South Africa

The brilliance of Phil Hughes and the test record of Phil Jaques has provided the Australian selectors with a welcome dilemma – who should they slot in the side? But the answer is far simpler than it seems: just put them both in the side.

It should be remembered that Simon Katich started his Test career batting down at number six and was, in fact, brought in as a Test opener due to an injury to Matthew Hayden, after having excelled for New South Wales batting at number three.

Katich’s devotion to his team saw him drop himself down the order in NSW’s recent match against Tasmania to allow the two potential Test openers to have a chance together. It is this versatility that should be capitalised upon by the Australian selectors.

The job is made easier by the dumping of Andrew Symonds, due to personal troubles.

Australian selectors are expected to persist with their quest to find a Test all-rounder and give Andrew McDonald another go. Ricky Ponting has spoken out about his desire for experience in the team, and has publicly requested that Phil Jaques be reinstated at the top of the order.

Yet, little has been said about the troublesome number six spot, or the lack of experience there.

Andrew McDonald, with a lone Test, is likely to be retained, despite a lack of experience, and will probably leave Jaques’ Test future in question.

Australian selectors need to decide who is most likely to win a game for the side as well as have a well balanced team. Jaques is a proven performer at Test level, and Hughes has shown his ability to win games in just two exceptional seasons for NSW.

Questions remain over the ability of the side to take twenty wickets, yet McDonald is surely not the answer here, nor is he likely to score the runs that Jaques and Hughes are capable of.

Instead, selectors must pick as many potential match winners as they can, and this means that the trio of Katich, Jaques and Hughes must be selected.

The selection of Katich at four means that pressure can be eased on Mike Hussey, who would slot in at number six, where he excelled early in his career.

Australia played their best cricket without an all-rounder, although with Gilchrist, McGrath and Warne in the team, they could afford this luxury.

However, McDonald is not likely to win a game for Australia with the ball or the bat, and should therefore make way for someone who can.

Suddenly, Australia have a world class top six, as well as Haddin, who is starting to realise his potential with the bat. Furthermore, selectors can pick the two form batsman in Australia in Katich and Hughes, as well as experience at the top of the order in Phil Jaques.

Australian cricket is in a temporary slump.

This slump can only be arrested by choosing proven performers and sticking with them. With class players such as Langer, Hayden, Gilchrist, Warne and McGrath, Australia could afford to sacrifice the number six spot searching for an all-rounder.

This player has yet to be found.

Now is the time to pick players demanding a spot in the side, instead of gifting a batsman’s spot to undeserving players.

Every Test match should be treasured. It is for this reason that Phil Jaques deserves another one, and Phil Hughes must be given his first Baggy Green.