In the aftermath of the absolutely atrocious loss by Australia to New Zealand (the eighth ranked Test playing nation), the new national selection panel has the perfect excuse to bloody the axe before the Boxing Day Test match against India.
The team for two Test series against New Zealand looked like this: Hughes, Warner, Khawaja, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Haddin, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc, Lyon.
The team that should be selected for the Boxing Day Test against India (assuming everyone is fit) looks like this: Warner, Cowan, Marsh, Khawaja, Clarke, Watson, Wade, Harris, Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon.
That is a big shake up, involving five changes from the team that was so unconvincing against New Zealand.
The man hard done by is Michael Hussey, who performed exceptionally against Sri Lanka but failed against both South Africa and New Zealand. He actually averages 42.21 for 2011, making him the third-best performed Australian batsmen (only Clarke 45.08 at and Warner at 76.50 are better).
However, he is 36 and in the last four Test matches (against South Africa and New Zealand) Hussey has scored 83 runs at an average of 12. He was by far and away Australia’s best in both the Ashes (570 at 63) and the series in Sri Lanka (463 at 92), but prior to the Ashes was on the verge of being dropped.
It is time to move him on and indulge that patience on a player (Khawaja) that might represent Australia for the next decade, not one that has done so for the last decade. His only chance of retaining his spot should be if Shaun Marsh is not fit in time for Boxing Day.
Usman Khawaja is the one batsman extended a life despite mediocre performances recently. He survives given that he has been the best-performed young batsman in the Sheffield Shield for the last couple of years and is in fact better performed than both Hughes and Ponting at test level in 2011.
He is promising and deserves the chance to cement a spot in the batting order. He needs to be given the four Tests against India and three against the West Indies to prove himself, not shuffled in and out of the team constantly.
I have noticed many people jumping on the drop Khawaja for Marsh bandwagon as if Marsh is the best batsmen in Australia suddenly. It simply is not true. Shaun Marsh is not the saviour of Australian cricket. Compare the two records:
Marsh:
Test: Five innings in three matches at an average of 56.80.
First class: (excluding Tests): 114 innings in 62 matches at an average of 38.65.
Shield 2010: 414 runs at 59.14.
Shield 2009: 477 runs at 59.62.
Khawaja:
Test: 11 innings in six matches at an average of 29.22.
First class: (excluding Tests): 60 innings in 36 matches at an average of 47.71.
Shield 2010: 613 runs at 63.10 (including the highest score of the season).
Shield 2009: 698 runs at 63.45.
Certainly, Marsh has had a more impressive start to his Test career, but he has also not played enough innings for his average to sort itself out (and it will drop, in fact it has trended down every innings since his debut of 141).
Interestingly, Hughes has a similar record to both of these two, but has performed worse than both at Test level in 2011; a spell in Shield cricket may help him correct his technique and perform a Hayden-like comeback to opening for Australia in the future.
The big winner is Ed Cowan, who earns a call up to try to steady Australia’s top order. Watson returns but not to opener, moving down the order to allow him to bowl more often and more effectively for the team. Clarke is maintained in his preferred spot down the order at number five.
Wicketkeeper Haddin must be moved on. His glovework has been inconsistent in recent times, following accomplished performances with sloppy ones. However, it is his batting that provides for his downfall. Twice in the last four Test matches Australia has suffered a collapse and required their wicketkeeper-batsman to be a rock to protect the tail and save the innings.
In both circumstances Haddin has shown very poor judgment and thrown away his wicket. It is time for a new gloveman and with Tim Paine injured, Matthew Wade deserves his shot in a baggy-green.
Lyon is assured his selection as spinner.
In the pace department, it is a case of select the uninjured bowler. Harris, Cummins and Pattinson are the frontline attack but both Harris and Cummins are currently injured, the latter for the entire home summer.
Siddle has improved markedly since the Ashes and deservedly retains a spot in the mix. Harris should play against India but if he is unable to the third pace spot is up for grabs – Cutting is injured, Starc’s performance against New Zealand showed that he is not yet ready for Test cricket (at least in my opinion), and that opens the door for Josh Hazlewood to sneak into the mix.
Copeland appears to be out of favour due to his lack of pace; and one hopes that Ben Hilfenhaus isn’t recalled to the baggy-green.
That is how I see it. Now it is time to see what the selection panel thinks.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
With Marsh injured I agree with that team although I would leapfrog Hussey up the order to 3. If Watson can't bowl I still can't see the selectors blooding Christian.
dlang30
Roar Pro
Behold I really like your thinking on this. While I wrote an article last week before Hobart defending the older guys in the team I will swallow my words and admit changes are definetly needed. In my opinon your team is very close to the revamped one I would have picked abit with afew minor changes. I still think Wade should we given ago at WC in both test and ODI as apart from being handy with the bat as you mentioned his technique is developing nicely as keeper and should be given a chance against India. Also I believe Hussey should be retained for Marsh as I think he still is the one older player who still has the goods and will deliver if retained. If he fails in the 1st test however, then Marsh should be a certain starter. My team for first test is Warner, Cowan, Watson, Clarke (c), Hussey, Khajawa, Wade, Siddle, Harris, Pattinson, Lyon
Matt F
Roar Guru
I'm going to take a wild guess that you're Tasmanian? Helfenhaus' Test record outside of England is quite woeful though I'd be hapy to take him to the Ashes in 2013. His 2 problems are that he bowls every ball from the exact same spot/angle and he swings it out of his hand rather then through the air so it swings too early and the batsmen can read it and adjust accordingly. that's OK when you're in condition s favourable to swing, like England, but elsehere he is too predictable. I'm not sure if you've actually seen Pattinson play but he swings it a fair bit as well but does so with more variety and 10km+ faster. Faulkner is a man with lots of talent but his form this year hasn't been that flash. His bowling has been good but his batting isn't anywhere near good enough to play as an all-rounder yet. He'll get there but he's only 21. He's got plenty of time. Wade's keeping is very underrated. It wasn't that good when he first started but it's improved quite a lot and whilst he's not quite as good as paine/hartley with the gloves, he's very very close and closing the gap. Regardless these days it's all about the overall package and keepers like Hartley, who barely averages over 30 with the bat in the Shield, just don't cut it anymore.
Behold
Guest
Why do you hope Hilfenhaus isn't recalled for Johnsons to exceptional season all his wickets came from Hilfenhaus being unplayable at the other end. Yes the Hilf had a hard time playing when injured but he is pretty much the only swing bowler in the country which should make him a definite for almost every overseas tour. He has been bowling well in Shield Cricket this years and offers something different for Pattinson/Cummins/Harris and 'participation award' Siddle. I think Faulkner should come in as a bowling all rounder and bat at 7. If you are calling Cowan into the team, I'd have Watson batting at 4 and Khawaja at 6, then maybe swapping them later on as Khawaja becomes accustomed to Test cricket and I think Khawaja would be better for batting with the tail. Watson on the other hand will be concerned and just start going to the tonk. Still not sure about Wade either he looks a good bat but he is the keeper and the few times I have seen him keep he probably isn't quite up to the standards of an international keeper. Personally I think they should pick the best keeper in the country and if he has to bat 8 cause bowlers are better bats than him so be it. Hartley would be my keeper until Paine is fit (if ever), has been the best keeper in the country for at least 5 years. I'd pick Wade as ODI keeper. Team - Warner, Cowan, Marsh, Watson, Clarke (C), Khawaja, Faulkner, Hartley, Harris, Pattinson, Lyon. 12th O'Keefe who I would play instead of Faulkner on turning wickets. If Marsh isn't fit I'd pick Hussey instead of Ponting.
Red Kev
Guest
I agree with whoever posted that the selectors won't drop Ponting because CA wants to bill Ponting v Tendulkar. It's completely nonsensical but it is what will happen. With Marsh now not fit Hussey will retain his spot as well. I hold out hope that Haddin will at least be dropped for Wade.
Seano
Guest
Nice try but I'm a bit nicer than you. 1. Warner 2. Hussey needs to open and has 2 tests to make a ton 3. Marsh if fit otherwise Usman 4. Ponting but has to be told its all over after Sydney 5. Clarke 6. Watto 7. Wade has a better record than gilly, haddin and paine. Bowlers as in tassie but replace starc with Harris who I believe is worth the risk because he is amazing when fit. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Matt F
Roar Guru
I'm not sure how they can still be batting well in the nets? MJ isn't there anymore!
Fisher Price
Guest
Yeah, that all sounds likely. I suspect Haddin looks good in the nets, fits in well with the group, doesn't get too far ahead of himself as far as intelligence goes etc, etc.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Marsh deserves his spot as you should reward players who have grabbed the opportunity and he's done that brilliantly. I'd rather see Ponting make way for him then Khawaja but given Marsh has apparently been ruled out of Boxing Day, and given Arthur's very strange comments about Ponting and Hussey (particularly Ponting) it looks like they'll all survive. Given the news that came out yesterday, the only change that looks certain now is Watson for Hughes. You'd imagine that Harris will come in for Starc if fit and it's also possible, but unlikely, that Cowan will replace Khawaja, with Watson moving down the order. About 6 weeks ago Arthur made the comment that Wade was certainly ready for test cricket though it now looks like he's not willing to back up that statement, which is a real shame. I'm not sure if it's wise to play Watson if he can't bowl either. He'll still have to run while he's batting and fielding so if he's not 100% there must be a good chance of him aggrevating the injury.
Fisher Price
Guest
Nice article, Kev. Shaun Marsh's stature has certainly grown since he got injured in Cape Town. In reality he's never been one to score big runs on a consistent basis. I think he did fantastically well in Sri Lanka but his underwhelming first-class record and injury proneness mean that I think excitement about him should be tempered. I certainly see Khawaja as the long-term No.3. The farce concerning Ponting has been done to death, but what keeps this running and running is not only the player's own obduracy and lack of self-awareness but also the staggering levels of sycophancy that secures his position. I wonder whether Ponting's legacy has been irreversibly tarnished by this drive to indulge his desires. Australia's bowling is looking better than it has for a while, partly due to Johnson's injury; after all, there were no signs of him being discarded otherwise.
sheek
Guest
Red Kev, Obviously the Argus report had little effect. Although some of its recommendations were "iffy" anyway. Cricket is a little different from the footy codes, & I'm still unsure how much control the coach & captain should have at the selection table (in cricket). But overwhelmingly, I think CA stinks from the head down, & cricket in this country is being run by imbeciles. And I won't apologise for the harshness of the words. CA must be full of accountants & marketeers only interested in the short-term bottom line, but with little or no idea of how to develop the long-term security of the sport. If they think the Sheffield Shield is now a second-rate comp, it's because they made it so, by keeping the leading players out of it. Now everyone repeat after me, "No sport can thrive without its best players". And my apologies to the decent accountants & marketeers out there. There are some very clever people among you, but all the dolts must be with CA (& also the ARU)!
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I just saw a report from Mickey Arthur "guaranteeing" spots for Ponting and Hussey - I find it astonishing that the Australian Cricket team wants experience over form despite the recent performances by Warner, Marsh, Cummins and Pattinson. I did’t mention Ricky Ponting because he is in my opinion as much of a dead man walking as Phillip Hughes, but given Arthur's statement I now have to. There is no rational reason for the continued selection of Ponting in the Australian Test side, all assertions to the contrary rely on nostalgic emotion and the conveniently intangible things he supposedly brings to the side such as assisting Michael Clarke as captain and mentoring the young players. There is a reason Tasmanians stayed as far away from the Hobart test match as possible, it is because they didn’t want to see Ricky Ponting as he is now (a frail shattered pale imitation of the best Australian batsman since Bradman he once was). If Ponting gets runs against India (and since their bowling attack that is weaker than New Zealand's he probably will) all Australian Cricket gets is a warm fuzzy feeling farewell tour while Ponting lines his pockets with more match fees before retiring. They should be using the Indian and West Indies series to find and groom his replacement. Ed Cowan may not have the most impressive career first class statistics but at 29 he is in the best form of his life and coming off three centuries in his last three first class matches and is mid-way through a season in which he is averaging just shy of 65. He would be a welcome and hopefully steadying addition to the top order to partner Warner (allowing Watson to drop down to number six in the order to preserve his body for more bowling). That should leave Hussey and Khawaja to battle for the final spot (likely to be at number four). Hussey had superb series against both England and Sri Lanka and then the worst two series of his career against South Africa and New Zealand (83 runs at an average of just under 12 in four matches). Before that Ashes series however Hussey was on the verge of being dropped, and at 36 he has at most one more summer (after this one) in him anyway. Khawaja however has played just 6 tests (in two lots of three) as injury cover and has struggled to find his feet but has shown enough to suggest he could be a very successful test batsman. If the selectors show a little faith in him and give him the four tests against India and three against the West Indies he will have had a run of 10 tests in a row and will either cement his spot (likely) or remain indifferent (and have to be dropped). It is a question of indulging one of them with some patience that they will find form and runs. If that patience is given to Hussey and he repays it he is still going to retire in a year or two. If that patience is given to Khawaja and he repays it then Australia gain a rock solid batsmen for the middle order for at the least the next two Ashes series and possibly the next decade. On risk versus reward that’s a no-brainer. Of course given Arthur's comments it appears he has no brain so don't expect the side I've named to appear.