Yesterday a new squad was picked for the Australian side for their next two One Day Internationals in Sydney and Brisbane. With captain Michael Clarke listed as injured with a hamstring strain for his home town match in Sydney on Friday it has provided some interesting talking points.
The squad in likely batting order for Sydney (excluding Clarke) looks as such:
David Warner (vc)
Matthew Wade
Ricky Ponting (Captain for Friday’s ODI vs Sri Lanka)
Peter Forrest
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
Dan Christian
Brett Lee
Clint McKay
Mitchell Starc
Xavier Doherty
12th and 13th men:
Ben Hilfenhaus
Mitchell Marsh
*Michael Clarke (c) – injured)
Peter Forrest holds his place in the side after a strong 66 on debut in Adelaide, but will most likely relinquish his spot on the return of Clarke. Michael Hussey has returned from being rested and will further bolster the batting line up.
Brett Lee has also returned from a foot injury and will likely take his place in the side in Sydney at the expense of Ryan Harris.
One of the major talking points is the return of Ricky Ponting to captain the side for one game in Sydney. The move has been criticised by former captain Steve Waugh, who suggested the move doesn’t make sense:
“It’s only a temporary thing (but) you put Dave Warner in there as vice-captain (so) I assume they think he is leadership material.
“If he’s vice-captain, why can’t he captain the side as well?”
It appears to be quite clear the new selection panel are touting Warner as a future leader but don’t see him as ready to lead the side just yet.
Both points are valid, considering if you had of said during the 2011 World Cup that Dave Warner would be in line to captain Australia in a One Day International that isn’t a dead rubber you would have been committed to a padded cell.
What better way to learn for Warner than to deputise under Clarke who has shown all summer to be a skilful and instinctive captain.
Now, but only for one game, Warner will get a chance to interact with Ponting in a leadership role – all the while building his leadership skills for the future.
Ponting’s selection as captain also raised another talking point – what is happening to Brad Haddin?
Serving as vice-captain in the test side in the recent series against India, and with his prior stated three-match resting period finished. Wouldn’t this have been the perfect time to re-instate the embattled keeper as captain on his home track of Sydney?
Clearly not. What isn’t clear is his future. Not many people seem to have an idea what the plans for Haddin are, including Waugh.
“I was surprised when they said he (Haddin) was rested and he said he was dropped. There were mixed messages there,” Waugh said.
“If he’s rested, why doesn’t he come back in and be the captain?”
“He’s vice-captain of the Test side so there was an opportunity for Brad to be captain of the one-day team.”
“Obviously he is having an enforced rest. I’m not sure what it is.
“It’s a bit confusing and it’d be good for someone to clear it up.”
Is he dropped or resting? Nobody seems to be able to answer the mounting questions.
For the time being Wade appears to be doing what Haddin’s predecessor, Adam Gilchrist, did to Ian Healy by phasing out the current Australian test wicket-keeper via the one day side.
Instead of playing at the SCG and Gabba, Haddin will be keeping for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield game against Western Australia. Selectors will surely be keeping a close eye on both him and returning all-rounder Shane Watson who is also making a return to Shield Cricket.
After all those uncertainties, the main question is, will Wade have to wait three years like Gilchrist, or will the new selection panel simply forget the nine-year apprenticeship in first-class cricket Haddin served, not to mention the three and a half years of service he has already notched up in the Baggy Green?
Twitter: @lukebonco
Gordon Smith
Guest
Haddin scored a pair. Neville averages over 50 this year. Is Haddin the best choice for the NSW shield team?
Red Kev
Guest
Looks like Nevill is 12th Man and Haddin has the gloves. NSW are batting first (won the toss) and the CA livescore thing doesn't list him in the order. Hughes and Watson opening though ... been a while since we've seen that!
Red Kev
Guest
Marsh does seem superfluous when Christian is playing so well. And I certainly agree he isn't ready yet ... but like his brother he is named in the Argus review, so expect to see a lot of him regardless.
Potter
Guest
Wait for the pizziling Caleb...wait for it...
Lolly
Guest
I wish they'd just leave Mitch Marsh with the state team. I'm pretty sure that he won't be playing and why have 2 extra players hanging around the tri-series game? Marsh's batting has been very ordinary in first class - he needs game time more than carriying drinks. Haddin has needed to feel some heat over his position. Competition for spots is good for the team.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Interestingly they both also play for the same grade side. Over the weekend they shared keeping duties with Nevill keeping on saturday and Haddin on sunday, though Nevill did far better then haddin with the bat in both games. I wonder if NSW will follow a similar policy and give Nevill the gloves for their next Shield game?
Brett McKay
Expert
and James, that's exactly what NSW have done for the Shield game against WA starting Friday - Nevill is playing as a bat..
jameswm
Guest
Chris I think they see Wade as the short form keeper and Paine as the test keeper, with some possibility for interchange. The worst part of all this would be if Haddin playing a shield game for NSW meant that Nevill was dropped. Nevill should be picked for his batting at least.
Chris
Guest
Tell you what - if the selectors decide they're satisfied with Wade, not only willl Haddin's international career be finished, but so will Tim Paine's.
Matt F
Roar Guru
I think the selectors are hedging their bets a little bit right now. They're clearly sending Haddin a message that he's not untouchable and that Wade is on their radar, but they also don't want to put a line through Haddin yet as, if Wade fails in the rest of the tri-series and WI T20/ODI matches then they'll be replacing one poorly performing keeper with another. Essentially, they don't think that Haddin is playing well enough to be in the Test team, but they're still not sure that Wade is ready to replace him either. Right now Wade is playing very well and this will be adding more pressure on Haddin. Given they're indicated that they'll take two keepers to the WIndies (most likely Haddin and Wade) I think tha,t for now, Haddin is in front for the first test. However if he fails during the remaining Shield matches, and Wade excels for the national team, it could be different come the 1st test in the Windies.