Michael Clarke’s hamstring strain has opened a can of worms for Australian cricket, as the debate of who should lead Australia in next week’s Boxing Day Test, should Clarke not recover, gains spectacular intrigue.
In the absence of Clarke, his deputy Shane Watson would seemingly be favourite to lead on arguably the biggest day in the Australian cricketing calendar.
However, the jury is still out on how to effectively manage his workload without succumbing to injury.
The captaincy would only further burden Watson, who is coming off the most strenuous bowling return of his career, sending down 47.4 overs in Australia’s 11th hour, 137-run victory in Hobart.
More importantly for the Australians is Watson’s form with the bat and so far this summer, he is yet to hit full flight.
Australian cricket constantly asks a lot of the champion all-rounder, surely the added pressure of captaining your country would only further weigh on Watson’s hulking shoulders.
John Inverarity and company would be well advised to think outside the box for this particular scenario should it eventuate, and select the one member of the current Test team who has epitomised pride, determination and mental toughness in recent times.
Peter Siddle has been outstanding for the past 18 months and just reward for the patriotic Victorian would be to lead his country into battle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, his home.
Although bowling captains are scarce on the international scene, the merits of Siddle leading could potentially lift his game further as he aspires to inspire his teammates.
As a bowler he is a captain’s dream as he runs in all day and puts his heart and soul into every delivery. As a captain, Siddle would be a bowler’s dream as he understands a bowler’s wants and needs.
As is the case under Clarke’s tenure, attacking fields would be a formality. The distinct advantage Siddle possess is he understands the art of bowling and furthermore a bowler’s thought process.
Siddle would be an inspired choice and would allow Watson to focus on his batting, which, in the absence of the prolific Clarke, will be vital to the outcome.
matt h
Guest
But what if (and it's a big if) the captaincy is the making of Shane Watson?
sittingbison
Guest
not exactly Steve Waugh is he lol
AdamS
Roar Guru
Watson shouldn't even be Vice. he is a dummy spitter of the first order who's every thought and emotion plays out across his face.
Keagan Ryan
Roar Guru
As I said, totally subjective
jameswm
Guest
Is saying "well bowled" what you mean by chirping?
Jason
Guest
Wade still needs to prove that his keeping is test standard. He also needs to STFU and not chirp EVERY ball.
formeropenside
Guest
still not making the case, I'm afraid
Keagan Ryan
Roar Guru
It's a subjective point, but two-time AB medalist and more recently player of the T20 world cup among several as well as several Australian records...
The Bush
Roar Guru
It's a scary thought, who will captain the side without Clarke there. It has to be Hussey for mine right now, but what about two years down the track? Who is being groomed to take over? I have heard Warner's name bandy around before, but he doesn't fill me with confidence that he could do the role. If Mr Hughes holds down is position for the next few years, he could potential be one maybe, he'd certainly have proved he has the mental strength by then and he doesn't sound like a complete moron in front of the camera.
Keagan Ryan
Roar Guru
To be honest, I myself don't understand why Hussey's name hasn't appeared more regularly in this discussion. My argument was Siddle has led the bowling unit sensationally over the past 18-months, and showed tremendous leadership doing so. He lets his performance do the talking, much like Captain Cook has in India. But overall, the romance of Siddle captaining a test match in Victoria would be brilliant to watch - passion personified!
Justin
Guest
Give Wade a go, I bet you he does a great job, he's captained Victoria when White has been absent before, he looks like a gem
Rhys
Guest
I'd like to see Hussey get the gig too, but I recall what he said once about his captaincy experience from a few years ago in an ODI series against NZ. I'm paraphrasing, but as he sat in the news conference with a 4-0 scoreline against his team, Hussey basically said 'never again' to the prospect of captaining again. Granted that was in the heat of the moment, and if pressed upon I'm sure he'd step up - he's that kind of player - but I doubt he'd be putting his hand up by choice.
Rhys
Guest
Yeah, bringing Bailey in out of the blue to captain T20 was a strong indication as to the lack of belief the selectors have in Watson to be a fulltime captaincy option - in any form of the game.
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Keagan, you cannot seriously use the words Watson and Champion in the same sentence. He has a long way to go before he is a champion, and in my opinion he never will get his game to the champion level, regardless of injuries.
sittingbison
Guest
I think its because even the blind freddie NSP (sorry Glenn) can see Watto is not captain material - even for 20 overs of hit and giggle. Which more seriously begs the question why is he vice captain of the Test and one day sides.
Brian
Guest
I'd say Warner the next long-term captain, he's a young smart opening batsman from NSW. When Ponting retired he wasn't in the side but Warner elevation to vc can't be far away. The Saffas made Smith captain quite young and in the long-term it paid off.
swannies05
Roar Pro
Huss should be captain. I agree with the previous comments that Watson doesn't need something else to worry about, as well as he lacks leadership qualities. I also think that it would be a deserved feather in the cap for Hussey, who since his debut has done nothing but epitomise what the Baggy Green is all about (much the same as Siddle). My opinion on Siddle though is much the same as Sideline Commentator's, he'd probably want to bowl himself all day (not selfishly, just that's what he would want to do for the team). Let Siddle be a bowler, and let Huss lead his country on Boxing Day.
Red Kev
Guest
I just do not understand why (since Watson was VC of both the test and ODI side) he was not made captain of the T20 side when Clarke removed himself from T20s. Watson is one of the best T20 cricketers in the world, surely it makes sense to have him cut his captaincy teeth in the format of the game he dominates. Instead the NSP brought in George Bailey...seriously WTF?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Border didn't have anyone under him at the start and he ended up with Taylor, Waugh, Warne. I don't think no ready made replacement is a problem at the moment other than for one off scenarios like this. We're not likely to need a new test captain for at least 5 years. From reports Wade, Warner, Cowan all have good 'cricket brains', Cowan will be out of the test side before Clarke is - Wade and Warner and whoever else will have the opportunity to develop if they can nail down their spots in the side. With hindsight the selectors probably shouldn't have brought Watson back as VC given he hasn't cemented his spot in the XI. I'd go with Hussey and tell Watson he is still VC but needs to concentrate on his own game at the moment.
Jason
Guest
Well if Clarke is out for a year, we'll need a middle order batsman to replace him anyway so the likes of Bailey come into the frame. And Warner was captain of the PM XI last year I think and by all reports did a decent job. In any case, I think the captaincy role is a bit overrated. Australia won plenty of tests while Ponting was captain. As for Watson, its not really the case that the vice captain would automatically become captain if the captain wasn't available. Marsh and Boon were VC for many tests but would have been unlikely to be captain if AB had fallen over because Taylor and Waugh were also in the team.