I was really disappointed by the selection of the ODI team for the England series, knowing that Australia will go with almost the same top six or five in the next Ashes series.
To me, it’s time to inject new blood, with the likes of Joe Burns, Nic Maddinson and Jordan Silk in the squad.
Cricket Australia have missed plenty of opportunities to introduce their younger players at the top level. As a selector, you need to hit the hot iron i.e. pick the player, when he is in good form.
The most recent example is Nic Maddinson who was overlooked by the National Selection Panel for the ODI series against England.
If you go back to the Australian summer season, Australia should have given chances to their younger players against West Indies and Sri Lanka, which were relatively weaker sides as compared to South Africa or England.
Australia were 2-0 up in the series against Sri Lanka, but still retained the same side. Such dead-rubbers provide excellent opportunities to the management to inject new players and build towards a strong leadership in the squad.
They should have rested Micheal Clarke in the 3rd Test against the islanders and given a chance to Usman Khawaja (12th man in that match). It would have been great for his career. Instead, he was thrown into the field in the pressure cooker situation in the Lord’s Test. Same is the case with Rob Quiney.
Now, coming to the one day series against West Indies and Sri Lanka, I wonder what Australia achieved in those series.
Joe Burns was the 12th man against Sri Lanka, but since then has not been given a chance. He scored a ton against the England lions but was again overlooked. Luke Pomerbach is a far better player than Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges in T20s, but still finds himself out of contention for a place in the side.
It’s now being rumoured that Adam Voges is a contender for the vacant place i.e. no. six, in Test batting line-up.
Voges will soon be 34, Shane Watson’s fitness is unreliable and so is his form, and I think Chris Rogers has done his job. So it’s time to reconstruct the opening partnership because you can’t afford to lose another home Ashes.
The National Selection Panel should know that England managed to win the series 3-0 despite being below par, as their top three did not contribute. Australia can’t handle their bowling with five or six left-handed batsmen in the squad. Chris Rogers was good against seamers but vulnerable again Graeme Swann (dismissed the southpaw six time in the series).
It’s time to invest on future and produce future stars. The National Selection Panel should select young players who have decent techniques and who can play all three formats of the game.
Best wishes for Cricket Australia.
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