It has been suggested by some Australia should rest Ryan Harris for the Adelaide Test to protect him from being over-bowled in what is expected to be a high-scoring affair on a placid pitch.
Australia clearly need to manage the health of their best yet most fragile fast bowler.
Prior to his current run of five consecutive Tests, Harris had never survived more than three matches on the trot without suffering a significant injury.
He escaped with a light workload in the Ashes opener at the Gabba, sending down just 34 overs as England twice folded cheaply.
The Australian selectors are reportedly planning to play Harris next week and correctly so, as it would be folly to omit the one bowler who consistently has tormented England.
Australia have their foot planted on the Poms’ collective throats.
But nothing should be taken for granted at Adelaide.
England are a tremendously resilient team. Their batsmen would be sporting wide, disbelieving grins were Australia to sideline Harris.
The logical desire to protect Harris ahead of the third Test on a WACA surface, which will offer him generous assistance, may see all-rounder James Faulkner replace George Bailey at Adelaide.
The selectors will be wary of England’s ability to keep Australia in the field for a considerable length of time in the batsman-friendly conditions.
Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were bowled into the ground against South Africa at Adelaide last summer, after James Pattinson suffered a series-ending injury.
The Proteas batted for 148 overs in the fourth innings to stave off defeat.
The pitch was so lifeless neither the quicks nor the spinners could pose a consistent threat throughout the Test.
Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough said this week he expected the new drop-in surface to behave in a very similar manner.
There may be something in it for the quicks early in the match but it would then flatten out significantly.
He suggested, just like last summer’s Test deck, it would not break up towards the end of the match and as such would provide scant joy for spinners Nathan Lyon and Graeme Swann.
The high scores racked up at Adelaide by Sheffield Shield teams this season point to a likely run-fest.
Faulkner, then, could greatly reduce the workload of the frontline quicks, keeping them fresher for the WACA, where they may well run amok.
The Aussies were reticent to bowl injury-prone Shane Watson at Brisbane and it seems improbable he will deliver more than a handful of overs in the second Test.
The inclusion of Faulkner would require Brad Haddin to move up to six.
The wicketkeeper’s sublime touch with the blade at the Gabba means this may be less of a risk than usual.
It would, of course, be very harsh on Bailey. The Tasmanian captain scored three and 34 on debut at the Gabba.
However, dropping him in favour of Faulkner would not be an indication the selectors have seen enough to mark his cards.
Rather it would be a pragmatic selection designed to shield Australia’s precious pace attack.
Undoubtedly, it would weaken Australia’s batting, although I would argue Adelaide Oval is perhaps the least risky venue for making such a move given its genial pitch.
Faulkner is combative with the bat and is in solid form.
In both his Shield games this summer he has batted in the top six for Tasmania ahead of Tim Paine.
It has been an interesting elevation in the order, considering Faulkner has typically batted at eight the past few seasons.
It is possible this was done at the request of the Australian selectors, who would have been keen to see Faulkner entrusted with greater responsibility with the blade.
He has responded reasonably well, scoring 147 runs at 37, including two half centuries.
The left armer’s bowling form has not been as compelling.
Faulkner has snared just four wickets at 40, although Australia will be confident of what he will offer with the ball.
His mix of swing, cutters and slower balls has often proved handy for Tasmania on the flatter Shield decks.
Faulkner did nothing wrong on Test debut at the Oval.
He clattered quick runs in both innings as Australia tried to force a result and held his nerve with the ball under extreme pressure on the final day.
His match figures of 6-98 were somewhat inflated by breakthroughs secured when the game switched into ODI mode on day five.
But he manifestly relished the challenge of Test cricket and displayed a level of composure many players cannot muster on debut.
He would be a worthy inclusion at Adelaide.
Daniel Hackett
Roar Rookie
Watson is picked as an ALL ROUNDER. His form and career batting average do not warrant selection as a specialist bat yet he has been given the nod over others due to his ability to also bowl - All rounder. As for the second i was reffering to Smith and whilst yes he's picked on his batting, he can also provide a bowling option (albeit a mediocre one). So that makes 6 players in the current lineup that can bowl, covering many bowling varieties.. leftarm pace, right arm pace, Medium swing bowler (watson), finger spinner, wrist spinner- why do we need another one and weaken an already poor batting lineup? Even if it is a flat track, with our batting lineup we probably still may get knocked over and as i've discussed we really don't need another bowling option.
Armchair Expert
Guest
I'm waiting for someone to publically ask Michael Clarke about O'Keefe, there's plenty of rumors but SOK publically stated that the selectors assured him there's no personal issue costing him selection.
Bearfax
Guest
I respect your opinion also Ronan and please dont assume I have any great wisdom regarding the game...I'm an average hack who just watches the game...was never good at it though.. But I work on a simple philosophy and that is you can correct technique problems but you cant correct fundamental limitations of innate talent. Lets look at someone who is over 30, has had years to work on faults and by that time knows their game well. If they havent shown year to tear an improvement taking them to the top group in their particular skill, its very unlikely they ever will. For me I just notice if a batsman over 30 hasnt managed a consistent 40+ average, its most likely he hasnt sufficient talent to reach that level. Doesnt mean he isnt a fine batsman (he wouldnt be at Shield level if he wasnt) and he could show talent in other forms of the game, but he just isnt and is unlikely to ever be top draw in the longer form game including tests. That's why I think the Baileys, Shaun Marshes, Quineys, Finches etc wont make it at test level. But a batsman like Hughes does have the talent. Sure its flawed and needs a lot of work, but you dont get a 45+ first class average, which includes facing some pretty decent world class bowlers, without a skill level that places you at the top of your game. Hughes in my mind has the talent, he just needs a little time to work on his flaws. And I dont recall too many players with this sort of average who didnt succeed reasonably well at test level. I think of Hodge, Siddons, Law, Bevan even Rogers, all around the 45 and up first class averages which many would say never succeeded at test level. But then Law, who had a first class average of 50 was only afforded one opportunity to play a test. Siddons with a first class average of almost 45 was never given the chance. Rogers with a 50 first class average had to wait until he was 37 to get a second chance. Hodge with a first class average of 49 had only six tests and averaged 56 yet was given no further chances. And Beven who had a similar start to Hughes only got 18 tests averaging 29 during his mid 20s and was permanently dropped because he couldnt reportedly handle the high bouncing ball, yet he averaged in Shield cricket 57. And yet he was never given a further opportunity to show if he had addressed the problem. Hayden almost went the same way, dismissed from test cricket in is early 20s and not returned until his late 20s. And we know what he became after that because contrary to stated beliefs by all the experts at the time, he did address his weakness and arguably became Australia's all time best opener. There seems to be this assumption with sportspeople that if you have a fault, it will plague you for the rest of your career. In most instances it doesnt. What stops players from further tests is a 'belief' that they wont make it. Opportunity is the determinate for these guys more than anything else. Please if you have a long iist of batsmen with 45+ first class batting averages who could never handle test cricket...and that means opportunities throughout their career, please list them. Personally, I dont think there are too many.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Hughes' Ashes average is 19 and Watson's is 43. Where is the discussion?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
England are a very calculating side and if given the opportunity will keep Aus in the field for as long as possible, not even seeking a win, in the hope Harris and/or Watto are bowled into the ground.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I think we consider Robson an Aussie because he was born here, raised here, played all his junior cricket here and represented Australia at underage level. According to British press reports he is the most highly regarded player in the EPP along with Moeen.
Luke Smyke
Roar Pro
Agreed Ronan, yes i would include SOK as well, ahead of Faulkner but much like guys before him such as Hodge and David Hussey, he seems to be out of favour with the selectors for personality issues. Will be interesting to see how many overs Watson can manage. But yes i would definitely have Bailey carrying the drinks here in place of an allrounder.
Richard
Guest
Could not agree with you more. So many good players coming through underneath. Think of all the great domestic players in the past who never got a single game to prove their worth, let alone half a dozen bites at the cherry Move on and move forward.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I'm not saying it is just that we know Hughes can score mountains of runs in Shield cricket but if he also started playing county and dominating then that would make me believe maybe he does deserved his 5th or 6th crack at Test cricket.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Bearfax I have great respect for your opinion but obviously we will differ on issues from time to time. The way I see it is that some guys adapt well at Test level and perform to expectation while others will actually shock you by taking their game to a whole new level (Ryan Harris and Mike Hussey are good examples of players whose Test feats are incredible considering they were never dominant Shield players). Another group of players are sensational at domestic level but cannot reproduce that in Tests, which is where I would bracket Hughes. He had that extraordinary start but then teams very quickly worked out how to bowl to him and he has never been able to counter that. He has been recalled to the Test side 3-4 times now after a run of awesome domestic form and on each occasion he has been found out. I would prefer we choose someone new to see if they can prove to belong to one of those first two groups of players I mentioned.
MervUk
Guest
It's not a good idea,but lets face it Harris won't get through all five tests,and is likely feeling something already. So which test would you want him to miss? Could be smoke and mirrors from Aussie camp though
MervUk
Guest
To be fair to robson, he is English, because he has an English mum and grand parents and rest of his family. He's stated that he always felt more English than Australian....why would you want him, he doesn't want to play for you. Regarding his chances in the pecking order...well England place great emphasis on EPP transition, you have to serve your time in the performance program and he hasn't yet. Regarding this series, I think moeen Ali could be a real possibility at Adelaide batting at six however. He has genuinely been in the top few spinners in the uk in the last 18 months, and played beautifully all year. Robson will likely be competing with carbs come next summer, or winter...although chopra is arguably a technically superior bat, but you can't argue with weight of runs no matter how they're scored
Richard
Guest
I get the feeling in my bones that the selectors would really like Faulkner in the side. I think Watson is hanging on by his finger nails
atgm
Guest
How is county cricket better than shield?
atgm
Guest
Nah,indian!
Bearfax
Guest
You could be right Ronan and I realise you have the 'expert' title here. My argument is this. Who else is there that is performing better in first class cricket who you think would succeed better than Hughes. Doolan maybe...hasnt been tested yet but looks a good chance. Perhaps some of the batsmen the selectors are choosing like Bailey. You cant possibly think that Bailey is as good as Hughes. Maybe go back to Shaun Marsh for a hit and missathon. White is starting the season well and has a reasonable average at 41, but he's been tested, he's 30...is he better than Hughes? Silk and Maddinson are looking good but I agree its a bit early. Khawaja has gone to sleep for a while as has Burns. Lynn looks good but he's been up and down. Maybe go back to Cowan...he's looking good this season, but do we want that The thing is there is no one making a big push for selection, other than Hughes. He's got the best first class average of anyone under 33 and is not that far behind Clarke. Personally I dont think Hughes is far away from breaking through. As I said I think its a confidence thing with this fellow. he goes back to Shield cricket and he's killing them with a 71.5 average this season so far. You dont do that as consistently as Hughes has done unless you've got something special under the hood...and certainly not at 25 years of age. I dont have the stats available but I suspect Pontings first class average wasnt as good as Hughes at this age and he was persisted with...and with some top class batsmen competing against him. I compare him with Root, same first class average, two years different but like Hughes starting his career brilliantly and then being found out....and I think he's better than Root, If I recall Hughes first class average at 22 was closer to 50. After 12 tests Root is averaging 39.55,. Hughes at almost exactly the same age after 13 tests was averaging 39.7. I'll bet England protect Root more than we did Hughes. You may be right Ronan. But my gut says this kid is getting close to making the break through tests and becoming a major item in the test team. But we'll have to wait and see eh.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Haha great comparison Richard!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Hughes has averaged 27 in his past 23 Tests. He has shown over and over that he isn't up to Test cricket. He needs to spend a few seasons dominating Shield and, more importantly, county cricket before I'd give him another crack.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yep they wouldn't be able to believe their luck
Prosenjit majumdar
Guest
The sweetest dream the english could have now is none of harris and johnson surging towards them,with the new cherry.