South African batsman HM Amla makes runs as Australian bowler James Hopes follows his misfielded ball during the 4th One Day International cricket match between Australia and South Africa at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
What can be made of Australia’s sterling comeback in game five against South Africa to lose the series by only the narrowest of margins? Was this a sign of resurrection for the aging champion team, hanging onto the second rung of the ladder by the captain’s quick bitten nails?
Or was it a genuine sustainable rise in form and fortune?
South Africa rested its ODI skipper (once more consigned to remedial elbow straightening classes) and brought in the warhorse, Ntini, and the colt, Morkel. It was clearly not the Proteas number one unit.
The ‘dead rubber’ syndrome may have been a bigger factor for the home team’s loss than the preservation of pride by the visitors in their win.
South Africa retain the number one ranking and Australia slip back to number two, having retaken India’s slot.
Leader Ponting bemoaned the “return to form” as being “a bit late.”
Well, okay, but the loss of successive ODI series in total 7-2 has got to make a statement of concern for selectors and coaching staff.
The constant and consistent slide of Mike Hussey’s form going back over twelve months has been confirmed rather than allayed in the limited over game. Brother David continues to appear out of his depth, while Michael Clark is having his middle order pedigree denigrated by going in first.
Brad Haddin is consistent and classy, though Tim Neilsen must be talking to him about the plethora of soft dismissals after making wonderful starts.
Hads, have a look at Hershell Gibbs. He knows how to make fifties into hundreds, whether batting first or second.
Maybe Brad needs to be a bit more selfish and that that will ultimately aid his team. Lobbing dolly catchers to long on off straight break bowlers is not the way to service the team goal.
How bizarre was the inclusion of Brett Lee in the original ODI squad for the Pakistan series?
Fancy picking a player for international cricket with NO game time at all under his belt for five months, not even practice matches.
Chairman Hilditch came out with this gem “the NSP [National Selection Panel] want to take a careful approach to his return to the Australian team.“
To then declare that he was not fit enough after reporting to his IPL franchise says more about the lack of cohesion and poorly informed selection process.
Then you add Chairman of Selectors Andrew Hilditch’s justification for picking the man who is in “a prolonged form slump,“ mentally limping Andrew Symonds back to international cricket: “a great player at his best.”
Great player is a tag that Ponting has put on David Hussey, as well, this epithet based, it seems, on the younger Hussey’s limited 20/20 international batting.
It also seems that personal relationships rather than objective cricket rationale is now the key to playing for Australia.
Phillip Hughes, Chris Rogers and the new substitute for Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger, can’t be on the “drinking buddies“ list of Ponting or Hilditch. Maybe new Chairman of the CA Board, Jack Clarke, could actually make his presence felt for a change and give some much needed direction to the NSP and Ponting himself.
“Big Jack” has been almost invisible since his appointment.
Symonds has been given more opportunities and second and third chances than any player I can remember in the last 30 years.
How he will react to Michael Clark’s captaincy will be THE key issue in the UAE.
Their personal differences are well documented, and given Symonds’ dreadful form with his State team, it is hard to see how the environment at international level will be of any advantage.
Of course, if he does fail, it leaves the Australian selectors with a lot of cracked eggs in a diminishing basket. Perhaps it is time for the youngsters to be given an extended run?
Ponting will not be playing against Pakistan, nor will Mike Hussey (I’m not sure how he will find batting form in the WACA indoor nets before June). And nor will Mitchell Johnson.
The Pakistan series is being used to rest a number of players and shows a considerable lack of respect for their opponents.
Pakistan will be hungry, given their lack of international competition recently, but they will also be underdone against a highly ranked team.
If Michael Clark and his team lose the first game, or even two, there may be some serious division within the camp.
Despite the amount of cricket being played recently, this series will bear some very close examination.
jasons100
Guest
It seems to me that Australia has been hit with a couple of poor selection choices of late. I was discussing this every issue over on www.knowyourcricket.info with a pomy. He believes poor selection arises from a lack of quality avant grade players coming through the ranks. unlike last decade where we had amazing players this decade australia has put less funding into the cricket and into other sports e.g. the winter olympics.
Southernwaratah
Guest
I agree with Brett, If urban myths are correct Henry, Your career suffered at the hands of Relationships? So too Dean Jones, Add Steve Waugh’s, Warnies lack of Captaincy I’m sure the list can go on…. Wait the Golden Boy – Kim Hughes
drewster
Roar Pro
Yes Geoff, I would have to say "What selection policies" Does anyone know? I mean the revolving door of bowlers and Dave Hussey, How can they justify playing a guy so out of form, his stats say it all (5 Games, 5 Inn., 62 Runs, 12.40 Ave., 20 HS) and bowled 5 overs 0/29 @ 5.80 RPO and thats for the 5 games. He batted at #4 in 3 games and #6 in 2 games. Marcus North surely deserved at least 1 game in his place going on those figures.
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
I agree with Geoff's statement that "The Pakistan series is being used to rest a number of players and shows a considerable lack of respect for their opponents." The only defence against this is that quite clearly Ponting and Mike Hussey do need a rest, while Mitchell Johnson needs to be rested given what looms ahead. David Hussey is a worry. South Africa have shown that he is not up to top international standard, but in matches against West Indies, New Zealand and Bangladesh he has made an impact. He should probably have been dropped now rather than being given a chance to notch some numbers against weaker opposition than South Africa (note - I am not saying Pakistan will be weak!). But because Ponting and brother Mike are being rested, David is being given a chance he doesn't really deserve, and which may end up with the selectors creating a difficult position for themselves. Ben Laughlin's selection was a mystery, is a mystery, and will probably remain a mystery. I guess the selectors can at least say that he took a spectacular, match-changing catch (Albie Morkel in ODI 5), much as Adam Voges did in the T20I match against New Zealand at the SCG. But really, things are getting desparate when a catch is used to justify the selection of an undeserving player.
Papa Romeo
Guest
“the NSP [National Selection Panel]"...what the hell is that?? Whatever happened to good old "selectors". Maybe this grandiose and flat-out unnecessary TLA is evidence of the excessively high and important regard in which these guys hold themselves.
Brett McKay
Guest
"It also seems that personal relationships rather than objective cricket rationale is now the key to playing for Australia." Geoff, what do you mean NOW?? That's been the way for the last twenty years!!
Chaos
Guest
Geoff, Can someone enlighten me. Why was Marcus North North and Cameron White even in the touring squad if we weren't going to play them? Especially as David Hussey deserved to get dropped. North scored a beauty of a century in the Ranger Cup before the SA tour. What happened to Katich? Hughes? Best opening partnership in the Tests took the bowling on. No biscuits in the ODI? Is Siddle Injured or are they keeping him in cotton wool for the Ashes. The selection of Harwood (I think) at 34 as a bowler was fasciniating. Really is that the best we have? The selection of Symonds shows far too much. No form, attitude problem and waltzes back in the line up. He's not exactly a spring chicken either... Lets see how Australia A go in this upcoming tour, it may just show whether we need some new selectors...