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Peter Forrest was the only plus to surface from the highly-criticised rotation policy for yesterdays ODI between Australia and India at Adelaide.
Mike Hussey was ‘rested’ from the Australian lineup, India ‘rested’ Sachin Tendulkar. Both were fit to play.
Former England captain Tony Greig led the Channel Nine commentators on a verbal lashing of the policy. The station’s viewers lent support with a resounding 82% vote against rotation.
But without it we wouldn’t have seen the superb international debut of 26-year-old Forrest, whose composure, footwork, clean striking, and power showed he was right at home with the elite.
His 66 off 83, with five fours and two massive down-the-ground sixes, plus his 98-run fourth-wicket partnership with the very experienced David Hussey (72), shored up Australia from a dicey 3-81.
It wasn’t enough in the end, but it was entertaining while it lasted. India (6-270) beat Australia (269) by four wickets, with two deliveries in hand.
But it was Peter Forrest’s day.
He was a left-field selection, averaging only 29.33 for his adopted Queensland in the interstate 50-overs, but 58.10 in the Sheffield Shield with three centuries from 11 visits.
It begs a raft of questions as to how the selectors will react for the next ODI against Sri Lanka at the SCG on Friday, and the game against India at the Gabba on Sunday?
Mike Hussey must return, Forrest can’t be dropped. And there’s still the 20-year-old Mitchell Marsh to be given a run in this series with his all-round talents.
Is it Ricky Ponting’s turn to be “rested”? Will Michael Clarke’s tweaked hamstring be right to play? If not, who will lead the side?
If Ponting and Clarke don’t play, it would be the ideal time to blood David Warner as skipper, something the selectors should have done with the two Twenty20 games against India.
Warner has shown strong leadership qualities as captain of the Chairman’s X1 against India at Canberra, and the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.
The other alternative would be to recall keeper Brad Haddin to the side as skipper. The Warner proposition has more legs.
But the dashing left-hander needs some runs, and the team needs an opening stand.
In the three ODIs to date the opening partnerships have been 15, 22, and 14 – leaving Australia under the pump from the start. The alternatives are light on, so the Warner-Matthew Wade combination looks the safest bet.
And with expressman Brett Lee ready to return from a broken toe, Mitchell Starc would be a casualty along with Ponting, and possibly an injured Clarke.
In that case, how about David Warner (c), Matthew Wade, Peter Forrest, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Marsh, David Hussey, Dan Christian, Brett Lee, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, and Xavier Doherty.