Nathan Lyon, despite making a credible entry to this Indian Test Series, is still under pressure to maintain his position in an evolving Australian side.
Countless naysayers have chimed in claiming he doesn’t get enough wickets, especially on pitches supposedly suited to his style of bowling.
While that is a worthwhile discussion, I’d like to look at the role his predecessor (and namesake), Nathan Hauritz, played in his test career that abruptly ended in 2010.
Hauritz, who originally debuted for Queensland in January 2001, took the wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in his test debut in Mumbai in 2004.
When form dipped, he subsequently moved states (before it became a national pastime) to New South Wales. A surprise recall to the Australian side beckoned in 2008.
Hauritz grasped this opportunity (despite test caps being handed out to anyone with the title ‘spin bowler’) with both hands and become a key member of the side, mixing defence and attack amiably.
To give this some statistical insight, Hauritz has, potentially, finished his career at 17 tests with 63 wickets at 34.98. Not unlike another great Australian offspinner, Tim May who finished with 24 tests and 75 wickets at 34.74.
During his only full season in 2009/10 Hauritz took 33 wickets at 31.54 and was dropped after only two matches in the 2010/11 season.
While Hauritz was a member of the side he also brought a sense of stoicism to the Australian batting card, finishing with over 400 runs at an average over 25 and two fifties.
Hauritz was also a key member of the Australian one-day side, averaging more than a wicket a game, and having an economy rate of only 4.74 from his 58 matches. His batting incidentally was more than handy, averaging over 22 with a strike rate of over 96.
Hauritz has since made the move back to his home state, and this week took 5/135, and scored 20 and 29 in a losing side.
As we read the many comments regarding Lyon, the potential comeback of our hero SK Warne, and the effectiveness of the alternatives such as Agar, Doherty and Maxwell, it’s interesting to note the lack of respect, (and heavy cricitism at the time) in some quarters for Hauritz.
Certainly judged by his figures alone, he is missed. When it comes to Lyon, rather than comparing him to Warne, maybe it’s enough to say that he’s the best (albeit only) spinner since Nathan Michael Hauritz.
Aside from his figures, I enjoyed watching him rip ’em.
Daniel
Guest
What a wonderful article to read about an amazing cricketer! Nathan certainly is the best spinner this country has right now. If only the selectors (state and country) backed him and his abilities who knows how successful he could be! Selectors have a lot to answer for - it really shouldn't be up to selectors anyway - why should a cricketers career be based on only a few men's opinions! Facts and figures only I reckon! And it's about time someone tracked all the miss fieldings and drop catches because he had plenty! That way we'd all get a more honest view of a match! Get Hauritz back in the Australian team I say! He deserves it!
soaurty
Guest
yes thats a very good good solution but who will tie the bell to the cats neck i.e. is who will tell this to the aussie board
dora
Guest
why not drop lyon and doherty from the squad and keep hauritz as the leading spinner so that he can share his experience with the new spinners in the squad such as agar ,beer and others
Siddharth Jena
Guest
Hauritz is at worst the 2nd best spinner available...........why not keep him in the squad? At least Lyon will face some competition......and thats healthy.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Beer is just back from a shoulder injury, playing grade cricket. Holland is out for a year with yet another shoulder reconstruction.
Praveen
Guest
Where is beer and holland in these discussions
bottom line
Guest
Hauritz was the victim of a Clarke led dressing room witch hunt following the 2010 tour of India. Only Hussey supported Hauritz. Then when national selectors pick a park cricketer in the Ashes ahead of Hauritz (who took a 5-for at the WACA and scored two centuries with the bat that summer) it was the end of Hauritz at the Test level. I wonder if Lyon or Doherty will suffer the same fate on this tour of India. Clarke expects all spinners to bowl like Harbhajan Singh on those decks - that's why he doesn't bowl himself.
brian zhang
Guest
Andrew hildich and the selectors of the 2010/11 ashes made such a huge mistake in not recalling hauritz into the 4th and 5th tests. Not sure why beer was brought into the side. But his career effectively ended when he dislocated his shoulder during the 2nd odi against England. He wouldve played in the 2011 world cup had not for that injury and would've revived his career One of the more unluckiest cricketers to have played for Australia
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Off spinner? He bowls straight breaks.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Bowling averages definitely matter, mate. A better strike rate just goes to show he's not as tight and measly a bowler as some would have us believe. Maybe Hauritz could start by being the leading spinner in the Shield. Then we can talk about a test recall.
John 360180
Guest
In my opinion Hauritz had his chance and it was decided he was not the answer. I expect same decision will be made about Doherty and Lyon shortly. Perhaps not until after the Ashes which will be a shame. Agar, Zampa and Faward Ahmed should have been given a run in India.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Mark, I think it's because he doesn't turn the ball enough for a top class bowler. Among my golfing buddies, whenever one of us nails one straight down the middle of the fairway off the tee (which is admittedly infrequent), the comment is invariably "straighter than a Nathan Hauritz off spinner"....
Jake
Guest
I am with you Mark on this one. As I have posted above, besides in bowling average, Hauritz beats Lyon in most category's including the most important ones such as; Haurtiz has taken more wickets than Lyon, but it took Hauritz less tests to do so, Haurtiz has a better strike rate than Lyon.
Jake
Guest
"Who do you suppose we replace Lyon with? Hauritz who averages 3 runs a wicket more" Considering Hauritz has taken more wickets in less tests than Lyon, I don't really think averages come in to it, mate. I would also throw in that Hauritz's strike rate is lower than Lyon's, not to mention that Hauritz averages about 12+ runs more than Lyon with the bat per innings.
Robert
Guest
There is a reason why Hauritz is forgotten,its because he should be.You talk about the wickets he took on debut but Clarke came on and out bowled him in that test -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Mark
Guest
Thanks for the replies gents. I am hoping this discussion doesn't deteriorate into an argument over which spinner would be the best choice for now. My article was focussed on the lack of respect people had for Hauritz at the time, and since his omission. :) Any thoughts on this?
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
You got me there, I'd have to agree.
Disco
Roar Guru
Stephen O'Keefe.
Disco
Roar Guru
Precisely. After Punter captained poorly on the last tour of India, he lobbied for Doherty to replace Hauritz for the home Ashes series. Then when Doherty inevitably struggled, Warne lobbied for Beer. Then Clarke found his own pet in Lyon. Hauritz is better than all of them.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Well the reality is, if Wade had taken his chances, some of which were quite regulation, Lyon's summer would have been vastly better. He'd have averaged about 25 with the ball and we'd all be singing his praises. It may be an excuse, but it's very valid and certainly worth considering. Who do you suppose we replace Lyon with? Hauritz who averages 3 runs a wicket more, Doherty who, let's be honest, sucks or Glenn "The Big Show"/"The Million Dollar Man" Maxwell? He really is the best we've got. And his record isn't all that bad. An average of 32 isn't world beating, but it isn't terrible either.