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Australian cricketer Michael Clarke celebrates his century against India. AP Photo/Aman Sharma
Are the Australian selectors expressing the growing concerns of the greater national cricket punditry by giving Brad Haddin a match in charge of the international team?
Haddin had shown for a number of years at New South Wales that he had the tactical and leadership nous to be a skipper at the elite level. In fact, before deals were done for Simon Katich to join the Bluebags and was guaranteed the captaincy as a part of that lucrative deal, Haddin was doing an exceptional job.
It is no secret that Haddin was miffed at the time as he was replaced by a outsider with limited leadership credentials and experience.
Ostensibly, the Cricket Australia announcement centered around Michael Clarke having some extended rest before heading off to England late in the month to prepare for the ICC Twenty20 World Championship.
The final match of the UAE tour was only four days later, so it is hard to fathom why the vice captain, cum stand in captain, would not be participating in a finale of 20 overs.
The selectors did not tell the public whether Clarke had requested the ‘extra’ rest, or if they had given him orders to go home early. In fact, the official press release was quite ambiguous, perhaps deliberately so because it made little sense: “the NSP has recommended that Michael be released …”
Released? What the?
The NSP make the decisions and TELL the players when and what they will be doing, so I can’t figure out just whom they would be “recommending“ to.
The statement goes on with some attempt at rationalising the reasons. I assume Andrew Hilditch, the chairman, is carrying the can on this one, although Jamie Cox, the South Australian Redbacks’ High Performance manager, has been prominent on screen as selector on duty in The Emirates.
“It will give him extra time to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20.“
This might sound a tad left field as a suggestion, but by playing the final game of the tour, such as a Twenty20 match, that might be the ideal preparation for an international 20 over tournament.
Australia did not do very well in the original Twenty20 World Cup. Even Zimbabwe beat them. So a spot of match practice against the finalist in that tournament might come in handy.
But no, apparently rest and facing a bowling machine will be much more efficient preparation. Unless, of course, there is an ulterior motive.
Brad Haddin “will assume the captaincy.“
Assume?
Sounds like lawyer talk to me. Haddin has been a leader, with his opening one day batting. He has been the most consistent of the batsmen, and Clarke has leaned heavily on his shoulder for tactical advice, especially under pressure out in the middle.
Haddin also has the distinction of having no “off field“ dramas to attend to.
Maybe the Australian Cricket Board have had enough of blond tips and sports cars. I can’t recall Allan Border ever having anything other than a Holden.