Australia’s glorious 5-0 Ashes triumph has been absolutely fantastic. Australia picked the same eleven in every Test match and delivered a crushing result in every Test match.
However there still is room for improvement.
Just about every player in the eleven came through. The bowling took centre stage with Mitchell Johnson claiming man of the series and was supported by Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris and Nathan Lyon.
In the batting David Warner, Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke and Steve Smith made two centuries each while Shane Watson and Brad Haddin had one ton a piece.
Haddin in the series went past Adam Gilchrist’s record for most runs made by a number seven – a mark which now stands at 493.
But the one player that found it tough going was George Bailey. Bailey made his Test debut at the ‘Gabba in the first Test match of the series. Bailey was selected on the back of his wonderful ODI performances where in 35 matches he averages 54.96.
But in this Ashes series, in five Tests he made 183 runs at an average of 26.14.
While those stats are not disastrous, at the same time it doesn’t reflect the true story.
Bailey’s high Test score was 53 in the second Test match in Adelaide. As we all know, the Adelaide pitch is always a batting paradise so it’s no surprise that a batsman like Bailey did take advantage of the opportunity.
Bailey’s other two significant innings in the series was the 39* not out in Perth where he was in a position to score runs quickly.
Bailey obliged with scoring 28 runs off one over from England’s fast bowler James Anderson. The other was when he made 46 in the final Test match at S.C.G. In that innings he was less then convincing and at times did struggle to score runs on the offside.
Put simply, Bailey didn’t score any hard tough runs when it was needed, something which Haddin turned it into an art form where he rescued Australia in every first innings of every Test match in the series.
If Bailey was picked to tour South Africa, he may have a hard time dealing with the likes of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.
So who replaces Bailey on the tour of South Africa?
Here are the candidates :
Alex Doolan
Made an impressive 161 against South Africa in a tour match in late 2012. But a first class average of just 37.92 with just six centuries in 53 matches is hardly convincing of Test selection.
He does have a solid technique which may help him survive in the rigours of Test cricket.
If he was picked, he should bat at 6, not 3.
If Doolan does succeed, then he should make the jump up to number 3.
Plus he was considered for the final Ashes Test before the selectors went with the same eleven. In the current Sheffield Shield season, in five matches, Doolan has scored 391 runs at 39.10.
Phillip Hughes
Hughes has had another good season in Shield cricket where he has accumulated 549 runs at 61.
But the problem with Hughes is he hasn’t been able to make the step up to Test level.
Hughes has been dropped numerous times from the Test side and he is only 25.
At Test level, in 26 Tests he has made 1535 runs at 32.65 with just three centuries and seven fifties in 49 innings.
His first class record is impressive. In 106 matches, he has scored 8381 runs at an average of 45 with 24 hundreds.
But it’s Hughes’ unorthodox awkward technique that has been the major problem for him.
In my opinion, Hughes has the technique of a tailender and it is very hard for him to survive in Test cricket.
He did score twin centuries in only his second Test on the South African tour in 2009. But Hughes has many weaknesses, especially around off stump.
One example is the infamous “Caught Guptill, Bowled Martin” dismissal which occurred four times in four innings in the New Zealand series back in 2011.
Hughes needs a few years in Shield cricket to consolidate. He is not ready to re-enter into the Test cricket arena just yet.
Cameron White
I always like picking batsman either in good form or who have a good first class record. In White’s case, in season 2013/ 14 he has been in good form in all three forms of the game. In the Ryobi Cup, White scored 387 runs at 77.4.
In the Big Bash, after four matches, he has 167 runs at 55.66.
While in the Sheffield Shield, more importantly, after six matches, White has accumulated 556 runs at 50.54.
White is still only 30, a year younger then Bailey.
The selection of White may well be a left field selection. Roughly twelve months ago, on this site this author wrote an article for Chris Rogers and Steve O’Keefe to be included for the tour of India due to their good first class records.
Sadly that didn’t occur and it ended up been 4-0 to India. Alas, Rogers a few months later, was selected in the Ashes series in England.
The result, Rogers ended up been the leading runs scorer from both sides over the two Test series.
Sometimes cricket fans like yours truly can get it right. Maybe, White’s inclusion to the tour of South Africa could be another tick in the right direction.
White averages over 40 in first class cricket, a higher average compared to Doolan and Bailey. If White was selected, I’d bat him at number 6.
James Faulkner
Selecting Faulkner the alrounder would mean he would be batting at number 7, and move the in form Haddin to number 6 and therefore taking some of the bowling responsibilities away from Watson.
Faulkner’s first class bowling average is 23, which is pretty decent.
But with the bat, he only averages just over 30. In 40 matches, Faulkner is yet to make a century.
Faulkner has been around the Australian squad all summer and there were times where he was going to be selected.
But I do sense that for Faulkner to develop, he needs more Shield cricket.
He has only played two Shield games this season.
He has made 147 runs and taken four wickets. But I just feel as though that he needs to do more, especially with the bat.
If he starts averaging around 38 to 40 with the bat, by all means he should be selected. Faulkner’s only 23, so he does have time on his side.
With Australia more then likely selecting a 15 man squad, it may include as many as seven specialist batsman. Australia’s top five of Warner, Rogers, Watson, Clarke and Smith should have plane tickets to South Africa.
The two batsman to join them would be Doolan and White.
Then it all comes down to the lead up match to the first Test to see who scores the most runs out of Doolan and White in an unofficial “bat off’ to see who gets the gig for the first Test.
Those two batsman may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does highlight the lack of batsman coming through.
So far this season we have seen batsman scoring runs. Maybe in 12 months’ time, we might start to see some clear options.
Let’s hope so for the sake of Australian cricket. Otherwise we may struggle winning Test series let alone winning them 5-0!
Bearfax
Guest
Yet they dropped Khawaja after 1 test, then later after 5 tests and then later after 3 tests. And yet he still has a better test and first class average than Bailey. Where's parity. Are some players more equal than others just because they are liked more. Is that the criteria now for selection.
Bearfax
Guest
Agreed Dom. People forget many wrote off Warner and Smith only a year ago. They forget that these guys are still developing and wont reach their peak until their early 30s. Khawaja is going through a tough period and his average has dropped significantly in the last 2 years. he's still the same talent he was back then, he's just struggling with his adaptations. He recently was killing them in the LIst A games, an area he wasnt previously considered good at. He's improved in T20s as well. He's becoming a more complete player, like Hughes is, but developing that more composite cricketing persona is I think challenging his self confidence. But like Hughes I think he'll get there. The younger players coming through will face their own demons in years to come just as Hughes and Khawaja are facing them now
Norfolk
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I just don't like it when a batter who isn't as good being picked because they 'show potential'. Ricky Ponting said it tonight on the BBL. When asked should Australian T20 squad be a bit of a development for younger players, he said /'no you pick the best players'/ Same goes for every sport. Harry Kewell has the best control and passing range in the A League (or at least around there) and punters say 'He's over the hill!' 'money hungry' or 'hack'.
Alex
Guest
Spot on. Maddinson has only one less century from Doolan, from 20 less matches. And averages higher. But we don't select him because he is too aggressive? So if he slows down, but gets out at the same time - his average will drop, as will his strike rate. His figures will then look closer to Doolan's - should we pick him then?
Alex
Guest
Steve Waugh was 20 when he debuted - not 31. He was also an all-rounder when he started out, not a specialist batsman. He generally batted 7 and 8. He averaged about 21 with the ball in his first test season. Completely different than the Bailey situation.
Naresh Kumar Sharma
Guest
George Bailey should be given extended run and picked for SA series. It is too early to say that he would not do well in South Africa. It must be remembered that former Australian skipper Steve Waugh took almost 30 Test matches to establish himself. Knee-jerk reactions don't do good for the player and the team. Continuity and stability is key to winning.
Bearfax
Guest
Watson at 6. Hughes at 3. Watson despite his claims is not a top order batsman and it would be better for him as an all rounder to be at 6. But your point is a valid one Dingo. Of the others you mentioned only Lynn stands out for me. Then again is Maddinson a top order batsman. he [plays like a middle order batsman to me. And suggestions that he has not had enough experience fall on deaf ears for me. he has played over 30 matches and Lynn only 25. So for me drop Watson to 6 and bring in Hughes at 3 or bring in Maddinson or Lynn at 6.
dan ced
Guest
Callum Ferguson should get a crack in the ODI side at least, having endured a tour of india carrying drinks. Cameron White would be a good replacement for Bailey, he is very consistent at the moment, 80's all around the place.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I have to ask the Author....... If you are replacing George Bailey, shouldn't you be picking a middle order player? Therefore Phil Hughes should not be a candidate. If this article was who replaces David Warner or Chris Rogers, Phil Hughes is a credible candidate..... But who replaces George Bailey??? It can't be Phil Hughes. Chris Lynn, Tom Cooper, Cameron White, Adam Voges & Cameron Ferguson are true middle order batsmen....
Bearfax
Guest
Age does matter Norfolk when a player over 30 is averaging in first class batting the same or less than someone who is 25. By the time you are thirty in criicket you are getting close to your optimum, that is the best you will be. If you are in your early to mid 20s it seems you are still developing and if you check the stats on past batsmen you will find their averages often increase as much as 10-15 runs by the time they reach their mid 30s. Point is its not a bias against those over 30s but rather a recognition that at present we have only three batsmen over 30 who are truly test class in Clarke, Rogers and David Hussey. Each have averages around the 50 mark. But then there is a huge drop in averages for the rest of those over 30. The best of them is probably North who averages 41.77, White 40.75 and Cowan 40.10, while some say Klinger is on the rise but still is only averaging 37.55. Now there are a bunch of batsmen in their early to mid 20s who have averages about the same or better such as Hughes averaging 45.54, Lynn 43.25, Cosgrove 42.31, Burns 40.71 and Maddinson 40.01 Point is some of the younger batsmen are outplaying the older group (except for the big 3 mentioned) and even those equalling their average are not only likely to improve and surpass the older group mentioned, but you'll have them available for tests a lot longer. If we had a bunch of 30 something batsmen with averages over 45, I would agree that we should select them. But we havent, so the younger bucks are the next best thing
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
It was 10 from his Perth Ashes test 2010 then nine tests the second longish run. He's been given a lot of chances. I'm sure he'll get more though.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
No reason, I just like him. :) He could come good. It's his first series after all.
Norfolk
Roar Rookie
What I have never understood is, when selecting a player, x player must be under 30, have international experience and a good average. Why does age matter? Pick the better cricketer and leave the 25,26, 27 year olds to cut mustard in the State competition. Players shouldn't be picked because in three seasons they *might* be good.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Silk is something Special
Steele
Guest
Give White another go, he has earnt it more than Bailey and as you say he is in form and has improved dramatically.
Simoc
Guest
You're on your own with Katich. A boring above average opener in the Cowan class. Ok but I prefer looking for class players. Katich is a good captain, batter and ideal for NZ, England, India, B'desh and pretty much other countries that require a block of concrete opening. Rogers is already better.
Bearfax
Guest
I like your sides Freddy. I could live with Maddinson in the 2014 test team. though he may be a little raw yet. But good team. The 2016 team I would have Silk opening with Warner and Hughes for Doolan. I doubt Watson will be there and Smith will be well entrenched in the side. Bowling group look good, given Harris wont probably survive that long, but Siddle will still be around for consideration
ozinsa
Guest
Adsa, what makes you think that? Everything I'm reading is saying ta-ta George. I agree with picking a middle order player though rather than moving people around to accommodate another opener.
Luke Smyke
Roar Pro
Yeh i agree i think Marcus North would be the best option. The average age of teams has steadily risen over the past decade or so, with experience proving to be far more valuable than fearless youthfulness in many cases. North performed relatively well for the Aussies when he was given the chance and was perhaps a bit of a scapegoat when finally succumbing to the selectors axe. If Watson would move down to 6 his returns would become more consistent and this side could be strengthened even further.
jameswm
Guest
My theory with Watto is he has to bat at 5 or 6. He could have been bowling at the end of the innings, and deserves to come in, have a shower, get changed etc before padding up. You can't do that at 3 or 4. If you want him to score big, he needs some off time after bowling before batting. I also think Clarke has to bat no lower than 4. You have to have your best bat somewhere in the top 4, unless your batting is very strong. Ours ain't. So Clarke stays at 4, Watto and Smiddy at 5 and 6, I don't really care which way around. That's a solid 4-5-6, esp with Haddin at 7 in his current form.