The recently concluded one day series in India saw Australia scoring 300+ scores in all five matches played, something which has happened for the first time ever in Australian cricket history.
This brings us to a question as to whether performance in this series should count for Ashes selection or not.
George Bailey scored 478 runs at an average of 95.60, with three 50s and a ton. Does that help him to get a berth in Tests? Why not?
What else should a player do to deserve a chance? The immediate answer would be his first class record should be the first thing to look at before selection.
However so many batsmen with good first class records have been given their chance in the last many months. And most of them have failed.
So it shows the old strategy is not working now. Something is lacking
And what is lacking is international exposure. That is precisely what Bailey and Glenn Maxwell have, which the first class players do not.
Even though it is a completely different format, the fact they have played on international arena has given them the confidence required to succeed in the longer format of the game also.
And this is not to say merely being a part of an ODI team is enough. Performance is the ultimate thing.
Which is also the reason why guys like Bailey deserve their chance.
Yes India’s pitches may be batting paradises, but you still have to score runs.
James Faulkner has shown he can cope with pressure situations. And if it was so easy, the question remains as to why guys like Phil Hughes, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson could not cash in on the opportunity to score runs.
These guys were a part of the Test side which toured India earlier this year. They did not perform as well as one would have liked them to, nor have they seemed to learn from that experience.
The point also remains if a player who has performed well in ODIs should not be in Tests because his first class record is poor, then how can a currently out-of-form player be in the side just on the basis of good past performances?
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