Ricky Ponting’s elbow injury has come at the worst time for player and team. A misfiring batting lineup have looked solid against the West Indies, yet failed repeatedly to grasp the initiative. The second innings collapse in Perth has inspired no faith that Ponting’s troupe are up to the job without him.
That’s the glass half-empty scenario anyway.
Ponting’s likely absence means there will be three significant aspects to the Australian team on Boxing Day.
First, it means a well-deserved reprieve for Michael Hussey. The critics, now including Shane Warne, believe Mr Cricket has reached his end.
After a stellar period in one day cricket, Hussey is no more or less guilty than his batting colleagues for the failure to dominate the West Indies. Yet his role becomes suddenly crucial to ensure Australia doesn’t take on a fragile look in the middle order.
The second, and most obvious, is that Michael Clarke will become Australia’s 43rd Test captain on Boxing Day.
Love or loath him, Clarke has been the most imperious batsman on the team during the last two years. One can look to several fighting centuries in India, along with a wonderful Ashes tour to know there’s more to Clarke beyond the commercial exterior.
But the captaincy comes with responsibility. In Ponting’s absence, Michael Clarke must assume number 3 position. Our best batsman cannot be shielded behind teammates that still bear question marks. A solid outing at first drop will kill off any doubts of whether he is our next full-time skipper.
But the other scenario is who will be the new batsman called into the Australian team. Here are the potential options:
1) Phillip Hughes
By far the most popular choice. His sense of timing can’t be questioned either, given his century against Victoria in the Shield. Yet his recall in these circumstances makes no sense.
His ridiculous axing in England has to be used constructively. It now means Hughes has the wonderful opportunity to go back to domestic cricket and hone his game without the limelight intruding. Failures for NSW barely register a blip. Failures for Australia will reverberate around newspapers and blogs worldwide, which may lead to further disturbing the natural progress of a wonderful talent. The same path has been walked by Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden, and they turned out all right.
2) Brad Hodge
For all of Hughes’ great sense of timing, Brad Hodge has none. Ricky Ponting falls crook, and Hodge rules himself out before the selectors can.
Yet even if Hodge is tempted to overturn his decision for a dream farewell at his beloved MCG, the selectors must resist. Success or failure won’t matter, as Hodge will automatically be out once Ponting returns. Picking a 35-year-old sends a poor message to our younger alternatives.
3) David Hussey
At 32, the younger Hussey still has time to carve out a meaningful contribution for Australia. With an average of 55, and with 36 first class tons, he is by no means a dud choice. A Boxing Day Test debut is a likely possibility.
4) Michael Klinger
The darkhorse of the pack. While his overall figures aren’t much to write about, his form for South Australia has been outstanding since his move last season. At 29, time is on his side, and he can be a useful spare batsman for the Test side.
5) Other possibilities
Phil Jaques
Shaun Marsh
Cameron White
Chris Rogers
Adam Voges
At any rate, Ricky Ponting is the last remaining vestige of the dominant Australian era. His absence will be a true insight to the team’s future prospects.
The Australian selectors must not waste a golden opportunity to plant the seeds for future success.
Rabbitz
Guest
Regarding Clarke, M. as Captain for the next Test. Should this come to pass then I will have to find alternate entertainment on Boxing day - and thereby breaking a family tradition that I have known all my life...
Brett McKay
Guest
Maybe I am Mick, but I don't think it's a coincidence that Clarke batted at 3 in the second innings in Perth, and there's no doubt the constant changing of fields and bowling lines can affect a bowler's rhythm. Over the last couple of years, both the Test and ODI sides have very carefully ordered the side to keep the LH-RH combos in play. NSW in the CLT20 made no secret of the fact that by having up to four or five guys padded up at any one time, they could go as far as even picking a LH dasher or a plodder (if not in those terms) if required as well as keeping the LH-RH combination. (edit) I should add Mick, that I agree Watson SHOULD shuffle down to 5, but as I mentioned, I don't know this will be as permanent as you might hope. No doubt there's pressure on Hussey and North, but I think we're looking at a temporary shift here. I still think Ponting will play, even if only 80-85% right..
Mick of Newie
Guest
If Hughes opens I expect that will be a sign that they want him to stay and that they see Watson's position in the middle order. If so I expect Hussey at 3, Clarke at 4 and Watson at 5. When punter comes back either North or Hussey will miss out. If they all make runs they have a hard choice to make but if hughes misses out they wont drop him. If Hughes bats at 3 it is a clear sign that his return is temporary and Watson is seen as the long term opener. In that scenario even if hughes makes runs he will have to make way. My preference is Hughes to open and if Hussey and North make runs one of them still misses out. They wouldn't be the first players dropped after making a hundred. Brett I think you are overplaying this left right thing.
Chris
Guest
It's probably because he is everything the average Aussie male (myself included) isn't. Feminine, "Metro", Trophy wife. Frankly I can't see Steve Waugh, Allen Border or (as much as I dislike him) Ricky Ponting ever giving a flying f*** what their hair looked like - and nor should they. Give it to Katich - he is a "real" Aussie man (plus he actually has some captaincy experience).
Brett McKay
Guest
James, I can only speculate as I mentioned above here, that they wouldn't want to upset the order for what is essentially a temporary change. If Ponting didn't play, and then Hughes (opening), Hussey and Watson (from 5) all made big runs, who would they then leave out to bring Ponting back? I think it's just a case of least disruption by having Watson or Katich bat at 3. In fact with Katich at 3 - and he has been a 3 most of his adult life, remember - they can go back to a LH-RH opening pair, and maintain alternating lefties and righties from Hussey to Nathan Hauritz at 9...
Jameswm
Guest
And how ridiculous is it that if Ponting doesn't play, the plan is to open with Hughes and watson, with katich at 3? A chance to put Watson in his rightful spot at 5 or 6 and they don't take it?
Brian
Guest
Why does Clarke need to bat 3 to captain, didn't S Waugh captain successfully batting No 5. The captain should be the best tacticion and leader whilst also being competent enough to maintain his place in the side. Is Clarke the best thinker? No but Katich will soon not be worthy as a batsman let alone captain. Likewise Hussey - most would say already. Whenever Ponting goes the only other contender on the horizon is P Hughes, but otherwise it has to be Clarke
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Penny Wong spins the ball both ways...lol
Brett McKay
Expert
Vas, Phillip Hughes and Peter Siddle have come into a 13-man squad for Boxing Day along with the XI from Perth. If we assume Ponting does prove his fitness (which admittedly might be a stretch, if they've gone as far as naming the replacement should he not), you'd imagine Siddle in for Clint McKay would be the only change.
vas
Guest
Some fair points there James. No, I'm not a Clarke apologist. The guy is self-absorbed and can be quite the narcissist. Is that leadership material? No, but he only can improve in the face of responsibility, not avoiding it. The Katich altercation was not ideal, but I think there are grounds to request that even if it is rejected. Clarke was entitled to request, and Katich even more so to tell him to get stuffed. Is he tough mentally? Yes. While you ponder about some dismissals in this series, there are some fine knocks in the mix to show how tough he is. I remember him scoring 130 at Bangalore in 2007 on the one day series while suffering gastro. It was a brave knock that lead us to victory. Best reader? No, but nor is Ponting. While you can be born a leader, you can also grow into it. Clarke will do that.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Katich should have been captain over Ponting, but he is obviously not sweet. I think most of the players would like a quick version of the anthem so they could get out early to meet Clarkes girl. Definitely LBW!
Fisher Price
Guest
Katich would do better than Ponting methinks.
Jameswm
Guest
vas I don't hate the bloke - I don't even know him. And Clarke a character? Hardly - he speaks in cliches as well as any of them. A critical member of the side since 2004? Crikey, are you his own personal apologist? For the last 12 months I'd say. The guy has become a terrific test batsman, one of our 3 best. No doubt about that. He's worked hard. But witness his dismissals in the last test, and some in the Ashes. How can that happen? I can't live with a captain who is so obviously out-thought. Ditto Ponting too often. Remember the altercation with Katich? Are Clarke's priorities right? Renmember this is the same Clarke who wanted them to change their tradition of singing the Southern Cross in the evening, so it could be done quickly to suit him so he could go out to dinner with his girlfriend. Is he the toughest there, mentally? No. Is the the best reader of the game there or the most innovative thinker? No. Does he have the total respect of his teammates? No. Will he do a good job on Boxing Day? Most likely. But he isn't the best man for the job, pure and simple. Katich satisfies all of the above and then some, however the selectors "earmarked" Clarke for the captaincy a few years ago, so are sticking with that. In short, to borrow a Maori word, he just doesn't have the mana to be the Aussie cricket captain. I don't see it.
vas
Guest
I don't seem to understand the public hate for Michael Clarke. Is this hate or jealousy at work? For all of the public perceptions regarding the bloke, some of them none too favourable, the guy has been a critical member of the side since 2004. He's scored hundreds, taken crucial wickets and effected brilliant runouts during that period. He has said no to two years of IPL riches because of family reasons, a gesture that shows it's not all about money. He's forthright and honest in his opinions, and participates heavily in promoting cricket grassroots. He goes to schools regularly, talks to kids and encourages them to play. He showed ticker last year for telling Symonds to go home in his first duty as one-day captain. That alone showed he isn't going to brook indiscipline. Fans say they want characters in the game, yet the same fans will seethe when discipline is compromised. It's an awful hypocrisy on our part. For all the criticism levelled at players and administrators, fans aren't perfect either. All I know is if Michael Clarke leads us out on Boxing Day, he will do a good job. He has a legacy to follow. This is a guy who donned his baggy green on debut in Bangalore before scoring his ton, and who barely celebrated when bringing up 3 figures at Lord's when defeat was imminent. Don't tell me he doesn't put the team first...
Jameswm
Guest
Michael Clarke as captain of the Australian test team. I have dreaded this day.
Whaler
Guest
Vas, some fair points. I have been critical of Ponting in the past re; his captaincy and some of the incidents around the Sydney Test v India ..............However one thing about Punter is that he is genuine "hard nut" and I predict that he will play Melbourne and score runs.
Sportsmouth
Roar Rookie
Well they won't overlook Clarke as captain if needed, that we know. If Punter is ruled out and they use Hughes, it may spell the end for Hussey if he doesn't perform and Hughes does, they could then bat Clarke at four and Watson at five, this would give the selectors the cherished all-rounder they've been craving, without him having the pressure and responsibility of batting at the top of the order.
Brett McKay
Guest
Vas, I tend to agree that if Ponting's elbow doesn't come through for Boxing Day, then Clarke should indeed go up to 3, or at a pinch, swap with Mike Hussey. But what I think will happen is that Hughes will come in, Watson will go to 3, and Clarke will stay at five, so as to maintain the right-left-right-left-right-handed order from 3 to 7. Watson could go to 5, if Clarke goes to 3, and achieve the same thing, but I think they'll go for minimal disruption to the order and just slide an opener - either one, actually - down to 3. That all said, I think Ponting will play in Melbourne anyway...
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
vas, never a truer word spoken. plant seeds for future success. However, you also need to weed the soil to allow the seeds to germinate and grow. Michael Clarke is a weed, the creeping type that grows like topsy and strangles everyone else by restricting space and sunlight. But, he is not a player for the crisis. Yes he has on occasions, but not consistently. dropping two catches in the last mathc and literally giving his wicket away in both innings is NOT the behaviour of a captain, and certainly not of a captain of a team being rebuilt. Cant imagine Border, Waugh, either Chappell, or Taylor dropping catches or giving their wickets away, even when struggling for form. Katich for Captain.