The selection of Rob Quiney in Australia’s squad for the first Test at the Gabba this Friday against South Africa once again calls into focus the depth in Australia’s batting, or, dare I say it, the lack thereof.
I have never met Quiney but from the interviews I have heard him give in the last 24 hours he seems to be a very well-balanced and thoughtful individual.
He is, however, not a young man as he celebrated his 30th birthday in August. As a first-class cricketer he is considerably seasoned.
His name sprang to prominence after innings of 85 and 11 not out over the weekend representing Australia ‘A’ against the tourists at the SCG.
Prior to that innings, however, he had scored a mere 68 runs in his three Sheffield Shield appearances this season.
Ahead of his call-up as cover for the injured Shane Watson, Quiney had played 53 first-class matches.
His career effort stands at just over 3000 runs at an average of 38 – hardly a lot to be excited about for a 30-year-old.
There have been questions raised ahead of the opening Test about the form of recently anointed opener Ed Cowan, who has struggled to get going so far this summer.
Yet his four Shield matches this season have produced 150 runs at 21, pretty much on par with Quiney’s showing in Shield ranks.
Cowan made his Test debut last summer at 29 years of age and with a first-class average of 38.
Just ahead of him beneath the baggy green was Shaun Marsh, who at 27, boasted a first-class average of 36 over 60-odd matches.
Marsh burst onto the scene with an inspiring 141 in his maiden Test against Sri Lanka.
A lot was hoped for, but before long, he was cast aside as his Test average plummeted to 27 after seven Tests.
Take out his debut 141, and he compiled a mere 160 runs in his remaining six Tests.
Should we have been surprised?
There was little empirical evidence in his cricket prior to his elevation to Test ranks that indicated he would be a long-term, highly productive and effective Test batsman.
A lot of talk amongst cricket followers these days is about the two aging warriors in the Australian middle order.
Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey have been phenomenal servants over a long period of time but with both in their 38th year many suggest that it is time to look to the future and replace them with some younger models.
That is all well and good but just who are these new generation of Test batsmen?
Hussey’s elevation to Test ranks is well worth noting.
After years of plying and honing his trade in first-class cricket across both hemispheres he finally got the nod to play Test cricket at the age of 30 by which time he was the most prolific batsman to be awarded a baggy green.
By the time he strode out to open the batting with Matthew Hayden against West Indies in Brisbane in November 2005, he had already compiled 15,313 first-class runs at an average of 50.
Since that maiden Test he has gone on to become one of his country’s premier batsmen.
When he returns to the Gabba on Friday he will be making his 74th Test appearance and will take to the ground with a Test average in excess of 50.
Like Hussey, Brad Hodge was another perennial heavy scorer prior to his Test call-up at the age of 30 in late-2005.
With over 10,000 first-class runs to his credit he scored an unbeaten 203 against South Africa in Perth in just his third Test.
Seen by many as being harshly dealt with, he played only six Tests but carried an average of 56 with him into exile.
If we cast our mind back it was common place to see Australia trial batsmen at a young age – Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer & Damien Martyn readily come to mind – only to see them subsequently sent back to Shield ranks.
Upon their return, often in their mid-20s, they were coming off numerous heavy scoring and consistent Shield seasons – Langer and Hayden both took their Shield averages above 50 and Martyn into the high-40s.
Others got their first taste of Test cricket in that era – Darren Lehmann & Martin Love – after long and highly productive apprenticeships.
Nowadays, however, batsmen of that ilk are hard to come by.
The most consistent batsmen outside the Test arena at present are the veteran serial run-makers David Hussey and Chris Rogers, both of whom are unlikely to get a call-up given their ages.
The next generation is yet to set the world on fire.
In fact, some are just simmering.
Callum Ferguson (27yo, first-class average 41), Liam Davis (28yo, 34), Moises Henriques (25yo, 31), Alex Doolan (26yo, 40), Peter Forrest (26yo, 33) have all been touted as potential future Test players.
Interestingly, Australia ‘A’ captain Andrew McDonald has a first-class career batting average of 40 from 91 games with 11 centuries but it is doubtful that he would ever be selected as a specialist batsman despite his record being on a par or superior to many of the specialist batsmen currently going around.
Australia seems to be blessed with plenty of pace bowling depth at present – albeit many of them are suspect to injury – and there is also a solid list of ‘keepers but for whatever reason the batting stocks are thin.
It is a matter that Cricket Australia needs to address.
Having said that though, I hope that now he has his call-up, Quiney makes every post a winner.
I am DRS
Guest
3/40. Yeh well I couldn't agree with me more on this one
pope paul v11
Guest
Good old Kenny. One of a legion of one test Vic openers. My favourite one test victorian remains Paul "Dasher" Hibbert though. Sadly he's no longer available for selection.
pope paul v11
Guest
He's available but has too much experience
Jason
Guest
Someone's listening... http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/justin-langer-tipped-to-take-reins-of-wa-as-warriors-coach-lachlan-stevens-resigns/story-e6frfg8o-1226512183270
JohnB
Guest
I mentioned Ken Eastwood (as a Vic opener who got one only test) in one of the Quiney threads yesterday - I wonder how long it's been since he got 2 Roar mentions in as many days! 3 now of course. Does Roar have trending topics?
Brett McKay
Expert
Tommy, at the time I wrote that article, after the 2010/11 Ashes series, the Futures League (in its first season) was primarily U23, but with three over-age players allowed in each XI (XII actually, the 12th man plays). That's since been relaxed, and for this season, there must be at least six U23 players in the XII, which is better than it was, but still not quite as good as the old 2nd XI system, in my humble opinion. In that article I linked to above, I actually wrote this suggestion: "Instead of the current under-23 focus, I’d revert the competition back to open age, but with a playing condition where state sides field at least say, three players under 21. This changes the focus from promoting young players ahead of their time, to one that develops cricketers regardless of age. It would also see a return to the old adage where “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough” with young players learning the game among older professionals and less of their own peer group." Additionally, I've learned only recently that CA have decided to shelve the T20 carnival within the FL competition, which was generally played over about 10 days in December and dubbed the 'Baby Bash'. Numerous players - most notably Nathan Lyon - have been noticed in this competition and earned higher selections. If CA is investing so heavily into the BBL, and has a stake in the CLT20, cutting out this competition seems somewhat counter-productive...
I am DRS
Guest
Yeh more recently in shield cricket he has been. So does that mean you must bat him in the top 3 for tests? Mr cricket and katich will tell you otherwise
Lolly
Guest
WA is appalling for picking U19 players who have done nothing at grade level or have actually been poor at grade level. WA first grade cricket isn't that high a standard so why they think players who can't score runs at that level are good picks for state contracts is completely beyond me. Mitch Marsh at least had some very good innings behind him in grade cricket before he got hauled up, but Tom Beaton and now Will Bosisto have had nothing.
Jason
Guest
What's Bruce Francis up to?
Jason
Guest
Isn't Quiney normally an opener?
I am DRS
Guest
Agree completely Mr Kistic. The vision from the selectors for Khawaja is clear. Some Test match exposure followed by seasoning in shield cricket seemed to do the likes of Martyn, Langer and Hayden a lot of damage didn't it??!! I also think they have the same in mind for Hughes, who btw is still 23 years of age. A batsman doesn't achieve what he has by his age by being a muppet. He will mature in shield cricket and come back bigger and stronger. You heard it here first.
I am DRS
Guest
What happened to batting new guys down the order at 6 ala young Ponting? Clarke needs to show some minerals and bat 3 so the new blokes get a chance. No wonder Marsh and Khawaja didn't perform the poor buggers were thrown in at 3 as debutants. Quiney should bat down the order at 6 instead of having to face a steaming Steyn with a new shiny cherry.
I am DRS
Guest
Robert's comment about curators, albeit slightly harsh towards Muller, is spot on. Shield games last 4 days, not the full 5 of a test match. In order to produce outright shield results, curators must generate conditions allowing 20 wickets to be taken in 4 days. So all else being equal the wickets are bowler friendly. Ipso facto shield bowling averages look flattering, and batting averages suffer. That said, there aren't exactly dozens of batsmen knocking on the door of the Australian team demanding a baggy green. The likes of Love, Law, Hodge, Lehmann and Maher must see the recent Australian XI lists with names such as Cowan, Marsh, Khawaja and Quiney and feel sentiments of utter disgust and wonder what cruel joke the gods played when timing their birth 10-15 years too early.
pope paul v11
Guest
Only because Ken Eastwood's not available.
pope paul v11
Guest
More like three years for Punter. So they keep saying. It's stil nuts. He's serving a penance. He's a better bat than Cowan, Warner, Watson and Quiney as it is. His FC figures are better than Quiney's this season as well. The mighty Quine must be a better catch.
Brendon
Guest
I notice Quiney has not played in England. Some of the players mentioned in the article and in the comments played in a lot of County cricket before debut when the standard was a bit lower than it is now and racked up big numbers fattening their first class averages. Just looking through the most runs for the Shield season so far. Ben Cutting is doing better than Hughes, Cowan, Clarke, Haddin, Forrest, Voges, Steve Smith etc. You can call Cutting an all rounder if you want but inability of regular shield batsmen to score consistently big is a problem.
Matt
Guest
Usual story. Then 5 and 6 come out against tired bowling and fielding, and get away with a lot more and look like saviours. Who knows, last summer I thought India were going to win comfortably and they barely showed up!
Matt
Guest
Khawaja just needs a series against Pakistan...
Matt
Guest
They're only in there to cover the conspiracy, they'll be gone soon! :D
Oracle
Guest
Give Rob Quiney a chance, he didn't choose to be thrown in against South Africa (read Bryce McGain), but he deserves as many chances as Bradman , sorry, Khuwaja was given. Quiney has deserved his opportunity and good luck to him.