In 15 Tests, Ed Cowan has scored 831 runs, one century and five half centuries at a below par average of 32 and it would seem his moment of truth has come.
Selectors and coach Mickey Arthur have constantly backed up and supported the battling opening, stating he is the perfect partner for the aggressive David Warner.
But other than his century against South Africa, 74 in Perth and 68 in Melbourne against India, Cowan has flown under the radar for most of his short career.
However Cowan should be given a last chance in these last two Test matches in Mohali and New Dehli for one reason: Despite having scored 300 odd runs less than David Warner and averaging 10 less than him, Cowan has faced more balls at the crease than Warner.
If you have a look at the stats, Cowan has nine innings scores between 20 and 45 out of 26 innings.
Cowan has also faced 301 balls this series so far and he has looked fairly good – bar the first innings in Hyderabad, where he copped a shocker of a decision.
Cowan will never be like David Warner, Matthew Hayden or Michael Slater. He will always let the bowler bowl to him, and leave the balls outside off stump, like Mark Taylor.
Obviously he will never be as good as Taylor either, but he can certainly play the role Taylor did at his peak.
Cowan has the ability to stay at the crease for long periods of time and work hard.
At 31, Cowan is running out of chances but the selectors have been brave to stick by him and support him. Matthew Hayden, arguably Australia’s best opener, took seven years to cement his spot in the Australian side and he did so in India.
Obviously Cowan did not debut when he was 23 and doesn’t have the potential to be a Hayden, but he has the last two Tests of this series to cement his spot for the Ashes.
If Cowan fails to score a century or produce three or four sizeable scores, his career may end, which may see Shane Watson return to the opening position full-time or another player replace him come July.
Junior
Roar Guru
So you're giving him 17 Tests in a row?
Junior
Roar Guru
That sounds awfully close to Cowan's own argument. That it's all about partnerships. Partnerships require both parties to contribute. Hanging around is not contributing. Any top order district cricketer can hang around and not contribute. Using Ed's line of argument, then when Warner has a succession of failures and is dropped we should also drop Cowan.
Junior
Roar Guru
He's like a nighwatchman opening the innings. Nathan Lyon showed in the first Test that he too can hang around. To remind people, Lyon batted at 11.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Both Cowan and Hughes have got to go. Cowan has the temperament but not the talent and Hughes seems to have more lives than a cat with selectors - continuing to fail and look terrible at the crease. If the selectors don't give the young guys a go they end up like Ferguson and Rogers who are written off after a form slump without ever getting a real go at test level
Bearfax
Guest
Another point ignored by our immediate gratification public about our present cricketers and dreams of the halcyon days of our recent greats, is that they forget that those greats had to go through their apprenticeship also. Some batsmen get off to a fast start like Clarke, Taylor and Hussey (though Hussey was already 30 and well established with a 50 average). Criticism of Khawaja's average of 29 plus after 6 tests may seem warranted until you see it in context with the averages after their first six tests of some of our all time best batsmen; For example Ponting: Average 33 after first 6 tests Stev Waugh: 15.2 Hayden: 29.5 Boon: 18.8 Damien Martyn: 28.0 Even the great Tendulkar had an initial 6 test average of only 36 while Lara would have had a similar average but for a double century in Sydney. The great Vivian Richards averaged 40 after 6 tests, but that was assisted by a few not out scores and a near not out double century. But by the time he had played 10 teats his average was 32.7. In that company Khawaja's and for that matter Hughes' averages can be seen in context. Most batsmen start off slow. To criticise them for it is to show ignorance of how cricketers develop.
Bearfax
Guest
Agreed he was struggling a little for a while. But recently he has come back with a bang. Quite frankly the selectors had a chance to trial him in some of the earlier second tier international matches, but they chose a bunch of all rounders and less talented batsmen instead. Until recently he has been totally ignored by the selectors. But with an average now in the mid forties he should be considered for the Ashes tour, if Micky and co are serious.
Praveen
Guest
Well said lolly
lolly
Guest
Hughes played 10 tests in a row before he was dropped for the second time. He's been treated pretty well compared to Khawaja. What makes me laugh is remembering all the nonsense over the dropping of Katich so that the Aussies could 'bed in' the new sooper dooper opening partnership of Watson and Hughes in anticipation of the Ashes... that's gone well, hasn't it?
lolly
Guest
Nicely put, Lancey.
Jagger
Guest
Brett this has turned into a dog whistle. Not fair at all to single out one party. Extreme bias. Kids forced to agree with teachers opinion is not our way.
Praveen
Guest
Yes agree 100%, give him half of those 15 tests in a row and that in my opinion should be enough
Praveen
Guest
I like your batting order bearfax
Praveen
Guest
Fair point Brett, but what I like about watto is that he can bowl and after this series he will start bowling again, I am only a club cricketer but an all rounder myself and I find that when I bowl I bat better, when one is missing the other suffers, I think the same applies for watto and when he starts to bowl then he will bat better and he is best suited to opening
Bearfax
Guest
Trouble is Andy Roo both Hughes and Khawaja were dropped because of perceived poor form. Cowan wasnt but is performing no better. I would suggest if you leave Khawaja in for 15 tests and let him develop, you'd have a much better outcome than you are seeing from Cowan. I think the same now with Hughes whos been already dropped twice. Cowan has been given a carte blanche and we are seeing no improvement. He's had 15 tests. Khawaja has had one, and the months later five others
Jagger
Guest
My point exactly.
Bearfax
Guest
Khawaja is a class ahead of Cowan and the stats prove it. Constantly going back to his moderate 6 test period in 2011 and ignoring his domestic T20, Domestic One Day and FC performances this season, including receiving kudos from several prominent commentators regarding his improved fielding, is just selective bias. The kid is a top batsman with one of the best bating styles in the country. He just needs a protracted fair go
Bearfax
Guest
Hello Jaggar. How you going?
Bearfax
Guest
A little unfair on Hughes there Red. That period was his worst period and by far Cowan's best. Try this season instead and the figures are somewhat different. Cowan went through a purple patch as all batsmen do at some stage, while Hughes had been dropped from the test side (with a better overall average than Cowan's mind you) and like Khawaja lost confidence and had his worst season last year. Before that his average was near 50. as I recall.
Jagger
Guest
Anyone else?
Felix
Guest
Based on your posts Jagger, I'm fairly certain you fit the criteria of a loud mouthed ethnic...Khawaja has worked his backside off to get where he is. I don't give a flying f**k where he was born, what he does in his private life or what his faith is. He has dedicated himself and worn a Baggy Green which I daresay makes him more 'Australian' than I'll ever be, and when Ahmed gets his I'll cheer for him even louder. We respect athletes and their careers here. We post argument, opinion and counter argument for intelligent debate. Leave your filth off a sports website fella we are good, clean and respectful people here.