New Australian selector Greg Chappell has highlighted an ageing Test batting line-up as a major consideration for the national team ahead of the Ashes.
Promising to “look beyond the obvious” and bring more lateral thinking to the Cricket Australia selection panel, Chappell also argued the teams picked for the five Tests against England need to be chosen with an eye towards the future.
The Australian side that contested two Tests against India this month included three batsmen – Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich and Mike Hussey – beyond the age of 35.
Younger members Marcus North (31) Michael Clarke (29) and Shane Watson (29) were hardly youngsters, leaving ‘keeper Tim Paine, 25, as the only genuine face of the long term.
“It is no secret that we have an ageing batting order and that is something we need to address,” Chappell told AAP.
“And if you look at the batting, that’s an area we have fallen down a couple of times over the last few years.
“Teams have always needed balance, genuine pace bowling works well in any era, aggressive spin bowling and aggressive batting also, but you’ve still got the need for the workmanlike players to hold things together, so it’s getting that right balance.
“I think we’ve got enough flair players in the batting, Ricky Ponting scores his runs quickly, Michael Clarke makes his runs at a good pace when he’s going, so we need to get the balance and the combinations right.”
While the Ashes captures the imagination of the public and players like little else, Chappell said there remained the matter of building a team to return to No.1 in the world.
“We’ve got to be careful not to get too caught up in the moment,” he said.
“The Ashes is a big series, yes, but the strategic goal of Cricket Australia is to be No.1 in all three forms of the game.
“I don’t think you are ever in a position where a cricket team is the finished article, and there is always the challenge of avoiding a situation where you get set in your ways.
“If you see someone who you believe has the ability to improve the team you’ve got to be open to that … I’m not saying we definitely will do that (make changes) this summer or we definitely won’t, I’m one of four selectors so there will be a number of discussions ahead.”
Chappell has settled into CA’s offices in Melbourne and will be seeking a meeting with Australian captain Ponting to discuss their views on the team.
“We will have some discussions about the balance of the team and its strengths and weaknesses, I want to have the chance to sit down with Ricky,” said Chappell.
“I have a few ideas but we need to talk together about what we think a good cricket team looks like.
“By and large we are pretty right but I’d like to get a better feel for things with understanding Ricky’s tactical thinking and how he goes about it.”
Among Chappell’s first selection assignments will be to watch West Australian Test pair Mike Hussey and Marcus North against South Australia in their Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.
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