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Does anyone have a plan C? Yesterday was meant to be the day where a select few from the 17-man Ashes squad thrust their hand into the sky so hard it was impossible to ignore, but by stumps Australia’s cricket selectors would’ve been pulling their hair out.
If plan A and B doesn’t work, then where to next?
Australia A’s game against England in Hobart saw contenders Usman Khawaja (13) and Callum Ferguson (7) fail. Those on the cusp like Phil Hughes (2) and Cameron White (5) also had no luck.
The only person to stand up was NSW leg-spinner Steve Smith (59) who is, day by day, showing he’s more likely to be a far better batsman than a tweaker.
The pitch was almost as green as the outfield and the ball was moving at angles that several protractor-wielding intellects would struggle to measure.
It was almost like watching a game of backyard cricket where your best mate had taped up one side of the ball to make it hoop around.
So that’s the excuse side of things covered. The reality is that this was England’s back-up bowling attack with their first choice options already in Brisbane scouring the GABBA square for secrets.
Tasmania’s match against New South Wales was meant to be a battle between left-armer Xavier Doherty and test incumbent Nathan Hauritz.
Doherty was unbeaten on 20 in the Tigers meagre first innings total of 125 and returned economical figures of none for 7 off four overs as the Blues were bowled out for just 97 in their first dig.
Hauritz wasn’t required to bowl in 43.4 overs. I suspect that has done him far more harm than good, but the selectors may take the view that wickets were falling at such a rate they didn’t want to disrupt the flow.
If this was a title fight then Doherty would be ahead on the judges scorecards.
Shane Watson (6), Simon Katich (1) and Brad Haddin (10) made no impact with the bat, but they’re proven performers and will be certain starters at the GABBA next Thursday.
Ricky Ponting (7) was caught behind off Trent Copeland who continues to impress by taking 6 for 51. This kid has flown under the radar slightly, but has a first class bowling average of 18.89. All should be on notice.
Doug Bollinger proved he really is fit and ready for the first test by taking 3 for 25 off 11.
The next most intriguing fixture is at the MCG where Victoria is taking on Western Australia.
Mike Hussey (0) has cause to be less than pleased with his brother David who caught him. The left-hand veteran has been the focus of much selection speculation over the past 7-days, but I can’t see him being dropped even if he goes through the second innings and the first test without breaking double figures. Hussey is one of the leaders in the camp and they’ll want to keep some experienced heads around. Marcus North (17), another under pressure, is in the same basket.
Mitchell Johnson (82n.o.) may be struggling with line and length, but like Steve Smith, is a talented batsman and proved as much yesterday.
Andrew McDonald, the forgotten man of Australian cricket, finished with figures of 1 for 22 off 18.3.
So what do the selectors do with all of that?
They’re no closer to knowing who is in form and who isn’t and the bowlers are performing better with bat-in-hand.
In contrast, those England brought out to Australia to make orange juice and tea, are performing like world-beaters.
Despite numerous poor performances I truly didn’t believe Australia’s Ashes preparations were in crisis before yesterday.
I was confident this English team, like those who have gone before them, would forget every bit of cricket knowledge once they left Heathrow, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
This version is confident, relaxed and not intimidated by the boys in the baggy green or those hanging around the edges.
So where do the selectors turn if the current team is struggling and the candidates aren’t able to perform under pressure?
It’s an unenviable position today that can be rectified by tomorrow with several big innings and a bagful of wickets.
Such is the nature of cricket.
Consistency is what we’re searching for and unfortunately unable to find
You can follow Luke on twitter @luke_doherty and on Sky News Australia.
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