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Is Ed Cowan good enough?

Are players like Ed Cowan a thing of the past? (AAP Image/Julian Smith).
Roar Guru
13th January, 2013
62

When Shane Watson was ruled out of the 2011/12 summer and Phil Hughes’ form had dipped to an unparalleled low, Australia found itself with a dearth of quality opening batsmen.

David Warner had just cemented his place with a brilliant hundred at Hobart, but who would partner him against India?

Ed Cowan was the man entrusted with the crucial role of opening the batting on Boxing Day. Cowan played a typically dogged innings of 68 from 177 balls and was touted as the perfect defensive foil for the attacking Warner.

Since then, 12 months have passed and Cowan has now played 13 Test matches. He scored his breakthrough test match ton against South Africa at the Gabba to open the Australian summer. But the question lingering on everybody’s lips remains: is Ed Cowan good enough?

Cowan is an old-school operator. He takes the shine off the ball and grinds out runs rather than blasting it with a flashing blade.

He made the move south from New South Wales to Tasmania in 2009 to further his quest for Sheffield Shield cricket. It was here he made an immediate impact and scored 957 runs at an impressive 53.16.

Cowan then ascended quickly to the top of the Australian order.

In patches, Cowan’s efforts thus far have been admirable, at other times somewhat lacking. His running between the wickets has been exposed as lazy and his batting remains one-dimensional.

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Cowan has struggled to covert starts into the bigger scores Test cricket demands. His average hovers in the low 30s and he is criticised for his relatively slow scoring rate.

Cowan remains the incumbent in a hotly contested position. His style of play could be perfect at the top of the order if he can lift his game.

Shane Watson has declared he wants his opening spot back and Phil Hughes reincarnation may yet end in a return to the top of the order. Usman Khawaja looks likely to come into the side thus meaning only six spots for batsmen are available. Is Cowan currently among the best six in the country?

Australia faces a tough and challenging year of Test cricket. A formidable tour to India and back-to-back Ashes series will sort out the men from the boys.

The side will need to maintain as much continuity as possible and a settled line-up will go a long way towards Australian success.

Beginning late February, Australia travels to India for four Tests.

The spin-bowlers dream could well be Cowan’s nightmare. His technique is flawed at best when facing slow bowling and the fourth day of the 2013 New Year’s test showed just how scratchy Cowan versus spin can be.

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Just Cowan’s luck, India has promised rank turners in response to the nippy Australian wickets that assisted their undoing last summer.

The Ashes follows the India series. The tour to England to retain the urn is the holy grail of Australian cricket and the ultimate test.

It is here where Cowan is expected to be in his element taking on the new ball with his solid defence and soft hands.

He digs in by nature and mere survival at the wicket will play a key role in building innings against the quality English attack. But is that enough and is he the most viable option?

Watson who is vying to take Cowan’s place off him has already experienced success in England, averaging in the low 40s when opening the batting. Watson has a powerful technique, a strong record opening, plays through the ‘V’ and looks very comfortable against fast bowling.

It could therefore be argued that he remains the best option at the top of the order.

I’m all for seeing Australian players succeed. I encourage Cowan and hope he does well. But the initial question remains.

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Does Cowan possess the skills, the tools and the ability to make it at the top?

I believe Cowan’s days as a Test cricketer are numbered. He has not taken enough opportunities when they’ve been presented. Cowan’s first-class record is a telling factor.

It was modest when he made his Test debut and very rarely do players go from averaging high 30s in the Sheffield Shield, to averaging 45+ for Australia, what I believe is the benchmark for Test-match batsmen.

I don’t believe Cowan will ever be capable of lifting his game to the standard demanded in the Test arena. Watson should return to the top of the order and partner Warner.

If Cowan is to return to the shield and lift his game to the next level, as I do hope he does, then he will be deservingly discussed in the future. For the time being though, we need a serious team to win the Ashes.

Watson, as enigmatic, self-centred and injury-prone as he may be, is a serious player and I wholeheartedly believe he’s the man for the job.

Twitter @nathankiely1992

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