Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust. Pick Dave now Mike’s gone, Inverarity, it’s a must.
Michael Hussey’s retirement from Test cricket will surely prove detrimental to the side, in both the short and long term.
Aside from his expertise with the bat, Australia has lost a wealth of experience with the retirement of Hussey.
But, to find his replacement, maybe selectors need to look a little closer to home. Literally.
With the Australian Test summer petering out to a lopsided conclusion, captain Michael Clarke and fellow selectors will undoubtedly turn their full attention to the looming Indian and English tours, looking to fill the void left by the departures of experienced and established international players.
Prior to this season’s commencement, chairman of selectors John Inverarity opted for a youth policy for the national squad, thus contributing to the sudden departure of veteran keeper-batsman Brad Haddin.
The incoming Matthew Wade is yet to set the Test scene alight, be it with the bat or the gloves.
Unlike his predecessor who often brought spark to the game with a classic catch or a smashing six, Wade has done little to please the Australian fans – despite bowling a surprisingly tidy maiden in Hobart.
The policy for the future was forged upon the inclusion of both youth and somewhat more significantly, veterans, balanced among the squad to hold the side in line.
With the departure of Haddin, and most recently Ponting and Hussey, the balance of budding talent and settled established players is becoming ever so tilted into the way of the former.
Openers David Warner and Ed Cowan hold a combined 23 caps for the Test side. Phil Hughes has just 17.
However only two of Hughes’ appearances have followed his reinstatement into the first XI following his questionable technique and the resulting dismissal from the team.
Let’s not forget Rob Quiney’s short lived career, after making two ducks in three innings earlier this summer.
Shane Watson’s prolonged future in the Test side seems to be forever in the spotlight as his robust body breaks down continuously.
Told that he must contribute with the ball to hold a place in the side, Watson may succumb to the selectors desires as they opt for fellow all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
However, he too is yet to be tested in the five-day game.
Excluding Captain Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey would surely have been the first chosen to board the touring plane to Kolkata and then, more significantly to the Australian public, London.
Yet as the curtain falls on Hussey’s tenure, the cricketing community may once more acknowledge that few players hold the skill that Hussey possesses.
The loss of Mr Cricket may not be fully witnessed until it is too late and the Ashes remain in the hands of Alastair Cook and co.
One on the short list to replace Hussey is Usman Khawaja.
However Khawaja, unlike Hughes and Watson, would be asked to perform middle order roles to which they are not suited and effectively the side would carry five opening batsmen.
Once more, the side’s balance is out of whack.
Michael’s younger brother David is yet to appear in the test side, albeit after sharing a cricketing career not too dissimilar to Mr Cricket himself.
Compiling a mountain of runs in domestic cricket, Dave Hussey averages 53 runs per innings for first class cricket, while also serving as spin option on turning Indian tracks come next year.
The 35-year-old middle order sensation provides the experience and versatility which the Australian side requires ahead of a gruelling 12-month away period.
Maybe the search for the next Mr Cricket was over before it began.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
2nd wicket. Quiney's economic but unthreatening bowling was seen by the NSP as a string to his bow. Apparently Maxwell's 91 and bowling ( think he got 1 ) was seen as significant too.
rich e
Guest
I'd like to think Tremlett will play this summer but i've got a feeling the Ashes in Australia was it for him. Sadly he seems to be going the same way as Simon Jones. I very much hope i'm wrong though. Tremlett was a lot like Khawaja for a long time, the selectors seemed to come up with all kinds of excuses not to pick him. When they did finally give him the chance he came good. Selectors sometimes can't see what's right in front of them. Overall our pace attack hasn't improved the way we hoped it would after we last played you especially in the last year. Finn's still a rookie who's used sparingly, Tremlett's been injured and Stuart Broad is frustratingly inconsistent. If we were to lose Anderson things really would be interesting, we'd still have a reasonable(and potentially very good) pace attack but it would be vulnerable especially on a decent batting track. Again Hussey is a real loss because he really could have taken advantage of any potential weakness there. It's worth remembering that Anderson, Panesar and Swann have all been dropped, discarded and written off in their careers. Each has made a test career for themselves just when they've looked finished. The best way to find out about a player is to give them a decent chance out in the middle. Look at how slowly Steve Waugh started and he did ok in the end.
lolly
Guest
And that's the only wicket he's taken at first class level. Please don't bring up fictional bowling skills as a reason to pick him. Taking one wicket late in a practically dead match doesn't not mean much. His batting is reason enough. I think he'll be the front runner when Huss is gone.
pope paul v11
Guest
Ando, Finn, Tremlett ( if up ) will cause plenty of probs
Bearfax
Guest
Of course its being ignored isnt it that Khawaja is also an underutilised though quite effective spin bowler. Took 1/22 against the Sri Lankans a month ago. Just not used for that skill.
James
Guest
BearFax you can't ignore class forever, Amla had to go through the same thing early on his career and look where he is now.
Bob
Guest
Wade is good enough to bat 6, especially on a decent pitch against the Sri Lankans. But I dont think that is the question. The reason for doingso is to accommodate an allrounder, which seems very important to the Aussie plans under Clarke, hence their determination to ensure Watson can always bowl .I am not convinced Maxwell is a numbrt 6 batsman. If Maxwell is only there as a stock bowler, then I would say he needs to justify himself as a top 6 batsman. Otherwise Australia are just wasting a chance to try someone who can take Husseys place. I dont think there is a conspiracy against Khawaja, or he would not be in the squad at all,and believe that he should be our number 6 batsman for the Indian series and the ashes.. The other logic which is not being discussed, is that Australia want 4 fast bowlers and it is that which is why Watson as an allrounder was so central to their plans...in which case, we could find that Lyon also misses out.
Rob
Guest
Well said BearFax
Bearfax
Guest
The problem is that with these selectors when they put other players in (not not Ussie it seems) they then become next in line, So Maxwell gets his chance. If he scores say 50 and gets a wicket or two, they'll give him Hussey's position when Watson comes back. look what they did with Cowen. Scoring still under 34 (Hughes was dropped for mre) and he is treated like an incumbant. Every time ther's talk about dropping him, he scores 50 and that saves him for another 2-3 tests. Didnt operate that way for Khawaja. Didnt operate that way for Hughes. Some players are FAVOURED despite their ability. Maxwell sounds like the next golden head boy.
pope paul v11
Guest
Oh goody. Wadey is ready to bat six. Clarke apparently declared fit, as if there was any doubt. Laters Ussie.
Red Kev
Guest
You are right and it is another reason that Khawaja needs a look in. He has that skill, he has a first class double century in the shield which is a good indicator of long innings temperament.
pope paul v11
Guest
Bearfax, Red Kev, Disco and other champions of players being selected on merit you are on it. What the hell is going on? I cannot recall another clear top six player being treated like this? I agree the journos appear to not have a clue what is occurring here. It is blatant discrimination. However , I think it is driven by Arthur and Clarke, not the journos. The journos are just not investigating. Timmy Gilbert feeding Haddin and Hussey D to Clarkey? What? What are you afraid of Michael Clarke? Watched Ussie at BBL. All that crap about fielding, running between wickets, attitude is just crap. And he can bat, really bat. Glenn Mitchell, Spiro, Kersi, Lordy you have influence and cred. Ask some questions?
rich e
Guest
As an Englishman i think you will miss Hussey the most in terms of occupation of the crease. Yes he was busy and kept the scoring moving but he was so difficult to get out. (As a side point we couldn't believe you didn't pick him during the 2005 Ashes, if you had done you probably would have won the series) Most of Australia's batting line up now is very attacking in style; Warner, Watson and Hughes, you feel like you'll get a chance against them. I don't see any of them batting four or five sessions and that still counts for a lot in test cricket. Do they even have that special batting stamina it takes to do that? Steve Waugh, Langer and Hussey had that in abundance but i don't see it yet with these guys. That was the most intimidating thing about the dark years of 1989-2005, the worry that our bowling attack might not take any wickets and end up suffering like they did on the opening day of Trent Bridge in 1989. That fear isn't there with this Australian team. By comparison Cook (2), Trott (2), Bell (1)and Pietersen (3) have all scored test match double hundreds for England. That's 8 test double hundreds between them not to mention 150's too. That's where England have really improved in the last 5-10 years, the ability to build a big innings. I do fear your pace attack, though, especially in the long term. Siddle, Pattinson, Cummings, Johnson and Hilfenhaus could be a very effective bowling unit over the next couple of years. Maybe the best pace attack in the world?
Bearfax
Guest
Personally I want to know why Khawaja continues to seemingly be on the outer with the media. I am hearing consistently about the virtues of Quiney, Maxwell, David Hussey, even Wade coming back to No 6 by the news services. I am hearing virtually nothing about Khawaja from the Journalists. And I have to ask WHY? Why is the player who has, other than last year, been in the top two best scoring shield players for a few years now not being lauded. Why is the player who has been called up as reserve now on several occasions being ignored by the media. Why is it that journos raved about Shaun Marsh's recent 80 odd and out score in the T20 and yet virtually nothing was said of Khawaja's lone hand 66 not out in quick time for his T20 side. Why are the journalists now placing Khawaja virtually third or fourth in being selected for the next vacant spot. I hate to say this but it sounds to be awfully like discrimination. The kid is doing all he can to prove himself. Yet a younger kid with a hand full of first class games and a 35 years old albeit with an impressive first class average but who's done nothing this year are getting all the press. Something stinks and if the selectors follow the journos suggestions as they so often do, shame on them .Shame. Personally I'm disgusted.
Siraj
Guest
David Hussey should have been selected instead of Marcus North, and we wouldn't be in this place to begin with, as he would have been playing Test cricket for the last 5 years but unfortunately his time has passed and most importantly he can't buy a run in shield this year. One has to feel for Usman Khawaja more at present, what more can he do for an extended run in the team? He got 6 on-and-off chances always being shuffled in and out of the team and around the batting order. Now when you finally think he has a chance after Ponting and Huss leave, bits-and-pieces T20 players like Maxwell are getting in ahead of him!
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
It'd be nice to see D Hussey get a berth, but Khawaja is the obvious choice instead. In my humble opinion, D Hussey has been unlucky throughout his career. I recall his double ton against NSW at Newcastle earlier this century when Victoria needed heaps on the final day to pull off an unlikely victory. Which they duly did. Sadly, I think it was one of David Hookes' last games as coach. It wasn't a second string NSW outfit either.
Karim
Guest
Khawaja in men's cricket and Lisa in women are setting a great example for all Asian players trying to come through the system, well done to them both and for CA in letting them shine in their sports.Khawaja has played on at least 4 green tops this year including a game where he scored 1 and a half times the entire opposition in one inngs in bart. He also got 2 half centuries against a star NSW attack(Starc, Hazelwood, Bollinger, Copeland, O Keefe) in Bulls win at the AB Oval where both teams scored less then 200. Inevarity also said in the announcement last week that Khawaja is next in line and on the rigth track under Lehman. Sure he is not Michael Clarke but lets give him a series to show what he can do. Give the young man a go and lets stop this talk of David Hussey coming in the team when he hasn't scored a single 50 in shield this year.
Macca
Guest
Mike Hussey is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He will leave a massive hole in Aussie cricket. Nobody is even close to being good enough to fill his shoes. He is unique in that he got picked so late, if you look at all the top nations aroudn the world in SA, England and even India who are rebuilding their sides they are bringing in 24-27 year olds who have had good domestic cricket experience and are ready to step up for the next 8-10 years. That's why Hughes selection made sense because he is 25 and scoring in shield. Same applies with Khawaja to replace Hussey, at 26 and as second best shield batsman this year he is ready to step up and not be used simply as a stand in batsman. He has done the improvements that were asked of him(i.e fielding, running and scoring more aggressively under Lehman's guidance). Move Watto to 6, Khawaja into 4. Gives us a solid (yet young and unproven) batting line-up as Warner- Cowan- Hughes- Khawaja- Clarke- Watto- Wade-Johnson- Siddle- Patterson- Lyon with Cummins, Bird, Starc, Hilf, Harris, Beer as back-up bowlers.
Stephen
Guest
On the general debate for Mike Hussey's spot, firstly I think the spot available is number 4. Watson needs to be an allrounder so move him to 6 and Clarke should stay at 5 given how well he is batting there. I think Khawaja has a long-term Test future as he seems to have rediscovered the method that made him successful early in his career. If Khawaja is selected for 6 then he will be fine there as well as he batted there for Australia in the Sri Lanka series and was fine. He can also bowl useful off spinners and got Sangakara out in the chairman's X1 game. David Hussey hasn't scored much in shield this year nor last year so you can't reward a 35 year old for that and Maxwell will get butchered in India if you let him bowl off spin there.
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
And whoops, that first one should read ***Alastair Cook vs David Warner! My mistake >.<