Mitchell Starc was told to sit out the Boxing Day Test. He was replaced by the two men who spearheaded Australia to victory in Melbourne.
Jackson Bird and Mitchell Johnson were called into the line-up after Ben Hilfenhaus succumbed to a side strain while Starc fell victim to Australia’s rotation policy.
Both men took their opportunities as they tore through the Sri Lankans, bowling out the tourists for 156.
Johnson was the hero taking 4-63 while Jackson Bird snared two early wickets on debut.
Mitchell Johnson followed up his bowling display with an impressive 92* with the bat.
Johnson’s performances with bat and ball make him a very strong contender for Man Of The Match; a title that cannot warrant an axing.
Jackson Bird is the most likely to miss out given his lack of experience and Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul in Hobart.
Australia’s dominance in Melbourne caused more headaches than healing for the selectors as competition for spots intensifies.
The rotation policy has been heavily scrutinised during the week after Starc was very vocal about his omission.
Mitchell Starc was said to be nursing niggling injuries but presented a golden opportunity to move up the line for selection.
Cricket Australia and captain Michael Clarke have defended the rotation policy, as they believe it is a tool to prevent overuse injuries.
But since the start of the Australian summer, James Pattinson, John Hastings, Josh Hazelwood and Ben Hilfenhaus have been struck down with injury.
Ryan Harris and Pat Cummins are still on the sidelines from the middle of the year recovering from extended injuries.
Australia’s bowling stocks have bolstered ever since James Pattinson’s arrival against New Zealand last summer.
Every player who has come in has put pressure on the person they have replaced.
The precautionary measure is not being used to its full potential given Australia’s long injury list.
But if it is not broken, why fix it?
Australian Bowlers Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson have both said the best eleven players should be picked to play.
Mitchell Starc plays all three forms of cricket for Australia- a very heavy workload for a 22-year old.
Form should not be a factor in Starc’s return given for Sydney given he has missed only one Test match.
Johnson will be riding off the momentum of his performance at the MCG as he Starc battle to be Australia’s left-armer when Pattinson returns.
Jackson Bird will be added to the long line of the bowlers vying for an Ashes spot in July.
The rotation policy has the potential to derail the Australian pace line-up as they try and settle on four quicks and a spinner.
There is just one bowler who has played every test this summer: Nathan Lyon.
And with only the Sydney test this summer and the English wickets in winter; it will be hard to rest him anytime soon.
Joe Eagle
Guest
I would have liked to see someone attempt to rest Dennis Lillee, even if he was only ninety percent fit, let alone a ‘few niggles’. For God’s sake test cricket is a man’s game, it is high time players, selectors, administrators and so called sports scientists realised this simple fact. Put the best eleven out there, if someone has an injury or breaks down then rest him…..R.I.P. Tony Greig.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
That is exactly right Rhys
Rhys
Guest
The down side to the rotation policy is that the bowlers don't have a chance to gel as a unit. The likes of McGrath, Warne, Gillespie, & Lee had the chance to bowl as a quartet over the course of a few years, to great success. Occasionally one or more might have been unavailable due to injury, but when fit they were nearly always the first choice attack.
Jayden
Guest
The benefit of the rotation policy though is that we now have around ten bowlers all talented, all blooded at an international level and raring to go when they get a chance The policy works as they all try to out-do each other to keep their spot, It's raised competition for places and the standards of the Australian bowling line-up As for starc... The five for that everyone raved about was the last five batsmen, against sangakarra, Dilshan and matthews he did nothing, I don't like him though so you could call that a biased opinion... Ashes line up should be Pattinson Siddle Lyon Johnson/Bird/Harris/Cutting/Starc
Brendon
Guest
The rotation policy is a joke but will be justified by CA saying how good MJ was, who's to say Starc wouldn't have got 10 for the match? guess we will never know. It's a disgrace, playing with young fella's dreams for injuries that "might" happen. The major point is, disregarding MJ's MOM performance, did CA put the best team on the park for Melbourne based on form?....The answer to that question is no, therefore the policy is wrong, England in England will be a lot harder proposition to half a Sri Lankan team on a bouncy Melbourne wicket
Jay
Guest
The rotation policy stinks. Starc has his childhood dream shattered for nothing, especially given his form. Test cricket should simply be the best 11 picked, and any players that need resting should be rested from ODI and T20. Would anyone be surprised that young players don't see Test Cricket as the pinnacle if they are going to be rested for nothing and have their dream taken away. Why should Starc have his sole focus as Test Cricket now, and not play ODI and T20 if this is his "reward".
Neuen
Roar Rookie
I have no idea what Mitchell Starc asked Father Christmas but being left out of a Test match was presumably some way down the list below for example a new IPhone a pet Kiwi and a TJ Hooker outfit with complete cuffs and batton. International cricket is the best of a nation vs the best of a nation. Not the best of a nation vs the best a other nation can preserve. Let players manage their own workload
Cameron
Roar Guru
It's called a rotation policy for a reason. Results for MJ are appreciated but count for nothing when your turn roles round to be rotated. stupid I know but starc hasn't missed out if another chance is provided thanks to the policy.
Haz
Guest
Here's an idea. Replace Shane Watson with Mitchell Johnson as all rounder, and slot MitchellStarc in as bowler.