With the news Shane Watson has stepped down as Vice-Captain of the Australian test cricket team, it is possible that the next anointed will be selected into the Ashes team as a professional Vice Captain.
It is hard to find an obvious candidate in the current team, with the two most valuable criteria being firstly, a player must be in strong enough form to be considered a walk up start with a long future, and secondly, the player must show leadership qualities.
Australia’s controversial rotation policy for fast bowlers effectively rules out any Australian fast bowler becoming Captain or Vice-Captain, and in the process eliminates the one person whom meets the criteria, Peter Siddle.
Incidentally the last fast bowler to be chosen as Vice-Captain was Rodney Hogg in 1984/85 and he retained the position only until he was dropped.
Considering that was almost thirty years ago, one can only assume fast bowlers are on the outer when it comes to assisting the Captain.
Whilst Ed Cowan and David Warner seem to be potential leaders, their form does not warrant automatic Ashes selection.
Ed Cowan’s one century in seventeen test matches and an average of 32.9 is hardly compelling, nor Warner’s record, an average of 39.46.
In fact, it could be detrimental to either of them if given the nod, and the weight of expectation becomes too much.
With a comparable test batting average of 34.6, Matthew Wade seems another option that the selectors could pursue, certainly since he was appointed the position in the last test in Delhi against India as Watson’s deputy.
However with only 12 Tests under his belt, and work still required on his wicket keeping, many would see it as more value leaving the talented Wade to work on his glove work.
To my reasoning, that leaves three, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin and George Bailey. It is questionable whether any could hold their own in the test team as batsmen, but all have claims of being selected as a professional Vice Captain.
It is widely recognised that Steven Smith had a great series in India, averaging 40.25 with the bat.
However, is that form sustainable? And like Wade, is Smith better off concentrating on his game? Smith still has a lot to prove if he is to be a genuine test candidate.
Brad Haddin could come into the team as the sixth batsman, leaving Wade the responsibility of the gloves. Certainly Haddin’s shield form returning from injury last year, first class average of 52 was very good and coming into the test team in Mohali just recently, he made scores of 21 and 30.
He is experienced, 44 tests, and been to England prior for an Ashes series. Haddin would not look out of place if required to become Australia’s 45th test captain.
George Bailey has the credentials to lead the Australian test team, already bestowed the T20 captaincy he has performed admirably in that role. The barrier preventing him from automatic test team selection is his batting, and last season he averaged 18.28 in the long form of the game.
His selection for the Ashes would definitely be as a professional deputy, but expect him to grow in stature if it was to occur.
One thing we can expect, the new national selection panel will continue their policy of being non-committal and lacking confidence in their decisions.
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