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Former Test spinner Brad Hogg has called on Australia’s selectors to give Nathan Hauritz an extended run in the Test side while the next generation of tweakers fine-tune their art.
Australia have struggled to find a replacement for spinner Shane Warne since the Test great retired in 2007, with Stuart MacGill, Beau Casson, Jason Krejza, Bryce McGain, Cameron White and Hauritz all given their time in the sun.
Hauritz, who has snared 24 wickets at 32.2 in seven Tests, held his own during Australia’s Ashes defeat in England but was controversially left out of the final Test on The Oval’s spin-friendly wicket as selectors opted for Marcus North’s part-timers instead.
The ploy backfired badly and Hogg, who played seven Tests and 123 one-dayers for Australia, said it was time the selectors put their full faith in Hauritz, starting with the three-Test series against the West Indies.
“I think Hauritz is doing a great job there at the moment,” Hogg said.
“I think he’s worked hard at his game, he’s done well in the one-day game and I think he deserves first crack at it (this summer).
“I think they’ve got to give a spinner a good, long crack at it.
“But he’s still got to be performing on that arena.
“Even if he’s not getting wickets, as long as he’s keeping it tight and building pressure and they’re getting wickets at the other end it’s OK, but they can’t afford to have someone in there that’s not doing their job.”
While 28-year-old Hauritz seems to be the current favourite in the eyes of selectors, Hogg said 22-year-old left-arm Victorian spinner Jon Holland was one to watch out for in the future.
Holland was part of Australia’s squad for their recent one-day series win in India and, while he failed to notch a game there, is highly rated amongst Australia’s hierarchy.
“He’s a fantastic catch … I think he’s going to be a talent to look forward to in the future,” Hogg said.
“He’s tall, he’s a left-arm off-spinner, the only thing is he’s not from WA.
“But from what I saw of him at the academy he turned it and got plenty of bounce, and his height is an advantage as well.”
Hogg retired from cricket in 2008 but will turn out for his local club Willetton this weekend to take part in the 2009-10 WA Statewide Twenty20 competition.
Hogg will be joined by former Warriors wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell, who will suit up for Joondalup.
“The beauty of training for us now is it’s mostly done in the bar and talking about the old times,” Campbell said with a laugh.
“I haven’t had a hit for ages. I’m just thinking to go in fresh and see what happens.”
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