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.
A Punter
Guest
Pick the best players and the vice captain picks himself. Vice captain is not a position and neither is "allrounder".
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Scarp the rotation policy, and put the only experienced player who is guaranteed of playing if fit - Siddle - into the role. There is nothing inherently wrong with fast bowlers being captain. Imran was probably the best captain in my lifetime. Walsh wasn't bad either, though didn't get soectacular results in a side which didn't have the talent of its predecessors. It seems a peculiarly Austraian thing that captains are always batsmen (Benaud being the last exception). Cowan's place is not secure, but he at least does seem to have a brain - which is more than can be said for his opening partner. Warner's place is no more secure, and that he behaves like an arsehat in the field means he isn't really leadership material at this stage. Hughes is hanging on by a thread, but is a potential future captain. Smith might not make the first Test team, he did well (better than I thought him capable of) from limited opportunity in India but will his tennis shots come back when playing pace. Khawaja won't be picked, but will spend another ten months in the squad with no game time. Wade should not be picked (at least not as keeper) and nor should Haddin, plus Wade is still inexeperienced as well as unskilled in his primary role. Pattinson is still inexperienced. Harris should start, but his comeback isn't assured. Lyon's place is under pressure, if largely because of Wade's incompetence and can't really be considered. Bringing someone is a pure vice-captain who would not be in the eleven otherwise should not be an option (but I can see it being considered and Bailey or White weakening the batting even further - or Haddin going in, an improvement on Wade with the gloves but not good).Bailey's form has been no worse than Watson's (who must not play), but no better either. Really, if everyone is fit and no rotation policy is in place, Clarke, Siddle and Pattinson are the only players who we can have any confidence will still be in the eleven by the third Test in England. That makes Siddle the only viable choice. If rotations are used, then it still has to be Siddle as vice-captain; along with a "deputy vice-captain" being someone whose place isn't secure but is better than 50/50. It is probably best not to name that person publicly. That could be Cowan, or even Lyon, as third in line - not a pretty thought.