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The post-domination era of Australian cricket has reeked of desperation and a lust for quick fixes from the outgoing selection panel. It’s been reminiscent of so called expert judges trying to pick their next Australian Idol.
The search for the next overnight superstar may have found its way into mainstream culture via hack talent shows and reality (not really) TV, but this is a game where results do the talking, not one’s potential to one day get results.
Take for example young tear away Patrick Cummins, already a household name on our shores. Any keen observer will no doubt agree that Cummins has barrels of ability. He bowls with genuine pace and has a strong physique, but his nine first class wickets have not come cheaply, nor has his body proven itself to handle the rigors of test cricket.
He has starred in T20 and deserved his selection in that form, where a maximum four over workload can be better managed and batsmen are taking more risks.
Simply put, Cummins needs at least a full season of Shield cricket under his belt both to gain the physical and mental skills needed to thrive at the highest level. He needs to bowl to the likes of Chris Rogers and Michael Klinger week in week out, and show that he is good enough to trouble and dismiss the finest opening bats in the land before higher honours are deserving.
In contrast, players like James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner are also young, but have taken considerably more first class wickets with at least two years of bowling under their belts. They could feel aggrieved that they have slid down the pecking order, particularly Pattinson, who was next in line as recently as the Sri Lankan tour.
At the end of the day numbers do the talking, and in years past the likes of Kasprowicz, Bichel and MacGill needed to churn out season after season of wickets in order to deserve their shot. It shouldn’t be any different today.
The same could be said for the batting line up, though this is a slightly different beast as physical stamina and stress on the body is not on par with what the hurlers endure. Still though, consistent results need to be rewarded, not potential. I’m sure the new selection panel members are hoping the likes of Callum Ferguson and Aaron Finch improve what have been lean starts to the their season, for ours is a team desperate for new blood.
Spectators used to quip that it was harder to get into the test team than out of it. This no longer applies. Our state cricketers have the chance to stand up and be counted more than ever, for almost every position in the current side is within reach.
Bradman-esque numbers are not required.Merely proof that a long innings can be crafted with some element of workload for the scoreboard attendants.
Test cricket cannot be the audition stage where players get a “yes from me” or a “no thanks” or even a “touchdown” from the judging panel. This is why we have a strong domestic competition.
Let’s start using it for what it was designed for.
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