The general public have been baying for the blood of the Australian selectors, and justifiably so. Post Ashes 2009 should have signalled a transition period. Youth should have been given time to settle and have their baptism of fire against weaker teams.
Australia played the West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand in 10 tests between August 2009 and November 2010.
Whilst it probably wouldn’t have made a difference to the final result of the Ashes, Australia would possibly be further advanced in their rebuilding phase and may have avoided the commentary citing a side in disarray.
Instead of a youth policy, we were given chopping and changing of spinners, persisting with batsmen hoping they’ll hit form, and constant tinkering with fast bowling stocks.
Hopefully Usman Khawaja’s positive debut jolts some positive moves from the selection committee. In addition to Khawaja, Phillip Hughes and Steve Smith mean three recognised batsmen in the lineup under the age of 25. There’s no doubt both Hughes and Smith need to tighten their techniques at the crease, but they are serious long-term options for the Australian team.
Time will tell as to whether they are good enough, but it is imperative the selectors persist with a youth policy. Chopping and changing and expecting to find experienced, 30 year old state cricketers to replace past champions is no way to build a test team for the long-term future.
As a nation we have been spoiled with the likes of Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Ponting, Gilchrist, Langer and the Waugh’s in the side at the same time. Such an assembly of champions in one team may never be seen again in any test side across the globe, let alone Australia.
It was an era where players like McGill, Fleming, Bichel, Hodge and even Katich were at times consigned to the fringes of the team. Players like Simon Cook burst on the scene with five wicket hauls and were out of the side a couple of weeks later.
Those days are gone for now and they will not return when you do not give young players time to settle. Good test cricketers are created by difficult encounters in test cricket.
Langer’s baptism of fire came in 1992/93 against the West Indies in Adelaide when he grinded out a gritty 54 in that famous one run loss. Ponting endured a horror patch in 1999 against Pakistan making three consecutive ducks after a quiet period and then exploded with consecutive tons including 197 on a Perth deck facing the likes of Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar.
Warne’s initial test figures read 1/150, 0/18, 0/60, 0/107, 3/11, 0/40 and 1/65 before breaking through with 7/52. Even after the breakthrough it wasn’t smooth sailing as he endured three more tests only taking two wickets before it all came together.
Could you imagine what might have happened to Warne in 2010 had he commenced with the same figures? Sure champions will always prevail but there’s no doubt Warne was nurtured and given time within the national team environment.
Struggles to make the grade in test cricket is a rite of passage and whilst a young test side will mean more pain in our results in the short-term future, the persistence in a youth policy will sort the men from the boys and mould Australia back into a match hardened, tough, arrogant and (most importantly) winning test nation ready to take back The Ashes on English soil in 2013.
jamesb
Guest
In 12 months time, i reckon 2 guys under consideration for batting would be Chris Lynn (21) from Queensland and Nic Maddinson (18) from N.S.W.
hansvonhealing
Guest
Well said.
Ian
Guest
I was thinking when Khawaja was batting that surely it's better to get young players into the team gaining valuable experience rather than keep on giving struggling old champions chance after chance. Had the selectors bitten the bullet on Hussey, North, Ponting or Clarke over the last 12 months or so, someone like Khawaja would possibly have had 6-10 tests worth of experience - and would surely have contributed more than those older players.
The Clint
Guest
Oh and South Africa..... How could i forget lol
The Clint
Guest
I dont agree Burble. Look at the great sides of the modern era, West Indies, Australia, India and where England are now. They all brought in players at a fairly young age and grew together to become dominant. They understood eachothers games and knew there roles, aswell the captains knew who they where leading. Yes they go through tough times to start whilst green, but they do them together, mature together and develop together. I think blooding youth together is one of the most important things in building a potent test unit. Obviously there is the odd exception of players.
Cricket Burble
Guest
They just need to select the best side and age only needs to come into it if two players have similar skills and application. Khawaja is older than Smith but definitely should have come in at 6 when North was dropped. Then David Hussey should have come in at 6 for this match. Smith isn't a good enough batsman or bowler for Test cricket (yet). Likewise Hauritz is no youngster but is the best spinner and should be picked.
The Clint
Guest
Spot on, although I'd nearly give Smith the number 4 over Clarke lol. As I write this Smith goes for 18. Assuming we get smashed again, what will the selectors do this time?? Time will tell, but I say get White in. Someone who has a great cricket mind that's under 30 years of age.
The Clint
Guest
Just glad I'm not the only one mate lol :)
MrKistic
Guest
Steve Smith, recognised batsman? Not so sure about that. Nor is Clarke it seems.
Jared Newton
Roar Rookie
LOL, just read your article and 12 months on it would still be relevant. The similarities are a little eerie but it's good to see there's a few out there preaching the same.
The Clint
Guest
Good read mate, share the same views to a T. When you talked about that post 2009 ashes and how the youth should have been blooded then, I wrote a piece on that very matter at the time. December 2009 I believe. We have a long wait til our next test series, but hopefully the selectors wake up to themselves by then and do look to the future. The likes of O'Keefe, Copeland, White, Paine, Pattinson, Maddinson, Marsh and Ferguson as well as a host others should come into strong consideration assuming they all keep up their solid form.