Rob Quiney is slowly becoming the forgotten man of the Australian Test team.
One year ago he was batting at number three in one of the most important Test series between Australia and South Africa.
Now he isn’t even in the selectors mind for the one of the most important series for this Australian Test team.
Quiney has played in two Test matches where he averages three runs.
In his last Test he scored a pair, but he was thrown into the deep end.
The South African attack he faced was one of the best bowling line-ups in recent times.
Dale Steyn is one of the best fast bowlers of the modern era while Morne Morkel is one of the toughest opening bowlers to face in the world
Vernon Philander has one of the most outstanding records to start a Test career.
He has taken 95 Test wickets at 17.5 in 18 Test matches.
After Australia took on the number one ranked South Africa, they took on the now seventh ranked Sri Lanka.
Phil Hughes was given a go at number three.
Although the Sri Lankan test team is no pushover, the bowling line-up is nowhere near the South African team.
Australian one that series 3-0 and since then have lost seven out of ten Test matches against England and India.
Phil Hughes was given an easy opportunity to score Test runs, while Quiney was thrown into the deep end.
All three of the Sri Lankans fast blowers average over 35 at Test level, while all of Steyn and Philander sit number one and two respectively on the Test rankings.
Hardly seems fair doesn’t it?
Hughes rapped in cotton wool and Quiney forced into the deep end.
But it’s not all bad news for Quiney.
Quiney has been in strong domestic form.
He scored 310 runs during the Ryobi Cup tournament this year which included three fifties.
In Victoria’s recent shield match versus Tasmania, Quiney scored a pair of 80s.
Quiney already has scored over 300 runs in the first three Shield matches.
He has failed to convert, but is still scoring quite heavily.
This upcoming Ashes series may make or break some of Australia’s batsmen.
Steve Smith has chance to cement his place and become a permanent member of the Australian cricket team.
This may even lead to him eventually being considered as the next Test captain.
While George Bailey will have at least three Tests to show the selectors he is not just a shorter form player.
Phil Hughes scoring 204 may put him ahead of some of the other batsman around the country.
Either way Quiney has a long way to go if he is to be selected again.
However he should not give up on his chance of playing for Australia again.
If Chris Rogers recent selection is to go by, it’s never too late to play Test cricket for Australia.
Clavers
Guest
Yes. He really hit a purple patch between 5 and 7. One of the truly great nines in the history of the game.
Arto
Guest
@ Gr8rWeStr: Just to get a bit more out of your resoning, I disagree with you about the age thing... Whilst in theory there shouldn't be anything stopping an older player (ie: 30+) making their debut and doing well if they have properly earned the chance, I'm with Bearfax and think the selectors should pick the younger alternative if the case between 2 players is even. For 2 reasons: 1) a younger player has statistically a bigger chance of getting better, and 2) the younger player has more time for the selectors to show faith in him when the chips are down. The way the selectors have been chopping & changing so often recently has no doubt (in my mind) damaged the confidence of theose players who have been in & out of the side (eg: Hughes, Khawaja, and to a lesser extent the bowlers in Lyon & Starc) and this in turn has affected their performances. The selectors need to back the players they pick - as much for themselves as for the players - as the more they chop & change, the more their own ability to make the right decisions is impaired and the less credibility they have with CA, and not least the Aussie public. But to give my answer to the author's question... No, he shouldn't be picked. Stick with who they've got and back their decisions for once. Then next summer they can assess whether so-and-so has done enough to justify selection - this happened during the 90's & 00's, it's just that it was overlooked by the fact we had so many good batsmen (and a successful team) so it was actually easier to do (as the critics/criticism weren't calling for players to be dropped/promoted).
ozinsa
Guest
Should never have been there in the first place and needs to accept that his world class 9 is it.
Bearfax
Guest
Probably right. This year has been started slowly and he had a poor 2012-3 season. Had a great first class average though.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
Age was unfortunately against David Hussey. Too many good Aussie batsman in his era.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I agree with Francis. If someone has a low career average, then it takes more than a few good matches or even one good season to suggest they are test worthy. Everyone has good patches where they score some more runs, but that doesn't mean they have the class to step up. If they've been mediocre for years, then they need more than a very short good period to show they're actually a better batsman now and not just having a bit of a good patch.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I agree, No.
Bearfax
Guest
Just goes to show that superior technique doesnt mean superior batsman. Hughes is 24 and averages 45 in first class cricket.. Quiney is 31 and averages 36 in first class cricket. So much for just having a superior technique
ak
Roar Guru
David Hussey , yeah,right.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Hard to believe that quiney has a baggy green but David Hussey doesn't
Jorji Costava
Guest
If Phil Hughes did and has, then why not!? Quiney has a superior technique, not just all cross bat shots like Hughes.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
Well the same can be said for a lot of batsman that struggle early on. Doolan wasn't much good early on, but nowadays he is scoring plenty of runs. If a batsman has a few seasons where he averages 50+ then you know they aren't just having a one of season and should be considered.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
Selectors should consider Cosgrove. Has made a ton of runs in the UK.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
FFS I think you are all playing in octopus's garden.
w ch
Guest
:)
A punter
Guest
Hughes has his issues but he is one of the most prolific of the current shield batsmen. His biggest problem currently is playing good spin. He will continue to pile on the runs I expect in the shield. He already has test centuries and he is young and has time to develop. Having said that, he definitely needs to improve against spin and his weakness outside the off stump.
A punter
Guest
Yes, one of the best compiled 9s will will every hope to see.
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
Cosgrove is the only option that hasn't averaged < 30 in the last 3 seasons, although he's off to a slow start this season coming back from injury. Or is it the weight loss?
Bearfax
Guest
Thing against Quiney and Klinger are age AND FC AVERAGES. If they both had averages about 10 runs higher, they'd be in the test team.
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
Quiney's did have two Shield seasons averaging 40+, scoring 938 runs at 49.36 from 19 innings in 2011/12 including 3 tons and 5 fifties and 724 runs at 42.58 from 19 innings in 2010/11 including 2 tons and 4 fifties, leading into the 2012/13 season so there was some recent Shield form behind the selection. He also scored 85 for Australia A in the lead up match facing Steyn and Philander, Doolan did score 161 not out in the same game, in the previous two Shield season he had only averaged 29.64 (2011/12) and 39.57 (2010/11). Quiney's form hasn't scored a Shield ton since being selected, 8 fifties, and has averaged just 36.1. IMO, age should be irrelevant in selecting any Australian representative team, the team considered, by the selectors, the most likely to be able to win should be selected. Australia A is the development squad.