Australian bowler Brett Lee appeals for LBW on Indian batsman VVS Laxman - AAP Image/Paul Miller
Yes, we know. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have retired. But what about Peter Siddles, Ben Hiffenhaus and Jason Krejza? The first two did extremely well in the Test series in South Africa last month. And Krejza made an outstanding debut in India last November.
Is there that much difference between Test and one-day internationals?
I agree you need more economy, but none of the New South Wales’ Nathans – Bracken and Hauritz – provided an economic stimulus package, did they?
Especially at Port Elizabeth yesterday when Bracken conceded 6.40 runs an over and Hauritz 7.28, taking just one wicket between them.
I am not criticizing the bowlers, and Bracken is currently perhaps the finest ODI bowler in the world. But he appeared off-colour yesterday. And what has Hauritz got that “Crazy” Krejza lacks?
Or is the latter injured? Or kidnapped?
Shane Harwood bowled well yesterday. But to pick him for an international debut at the age of 35 appears strange. And he was not in the original squad. It certainly won’t be a laughing matter for squad member and fast-medium bowler, Ben Laughlin.
Are Australian bowlers picked on form or as lots in a raffle? Bring back the aggressive quickies Siddles and Hiffenhaus, I say.
They may concede more runs, but they will pick up wickets before Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy go on a treasure hunt for fours.
Since winning the second Test at Durban on March 10, Australia have lost six matches and won only one. They lost the third and final Test in Cape Town by an innings, lost the Twenty20 series 0-2, and now the ODIs 1-3.
How to reverse this trend?
Like Mitchell Johnson, Siddle and Hiffenhaus, opening batsmen Phil Jaques and Simon Katich had done extremely well in the Test series against the same opponents. But apart from Johnson, the other four who contributed to Australia’s Test series victory were sent home, as if with a label: “not suitable for ODIs.”
I disagree.
Jaques would be an ideal opener in ODIs, with his dynamic batting at the start of an innings. Katich would provide effective support and can bowl his chinamen more economically than Hauritz does his offies.
The Ashes are barely two months away and Australia’s number one position in Test cricket is very much in the balance. True, England are in worse shape, but they have the home advantage.
Also, they have match-winners in Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff.
Australia was much stronger in 2005 than now, but still the Lions had the last laugh. It’s about time skipper Ricky Ponting exerts his authority in team selection.
Hopefully, the return of fast guns Brett Lee and Stuart Clark will make a difference.
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